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mDIAN LIFE 



AND 



INDIAN HISTORY 



BY AN INDIAN AUTHOR. 

EMBRACING THE 

TRADITIONS OF THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS REGARDING 

THEMSELVES, PARTICULARLY OF THAT MOST 

IMPORTANT OF ALL THE TRIBES, 

THE OJIBWAYS- 



BY THE CELEBRATED KAH-GE-GA-GAH-BOWH, 

Chief of the Ojibway Nation; 

KNOWN ALSO BY THE ENGLISH NAME OF 

J 

GEORGE COPWAY. 



BOSTON: 

ALBERT COLBY AND COMPANY, 

20 Washington Street. 
1860. 



Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 185t(, by 

ALBERT COLBY, 

In the Clerk's OfBce of the District Court of the District of Massachusetts. 



rfcC 



<6^ 



EI. F.rTROTYI'En AT THK 
BOSTON » T E K t O T V r K F O I' N li k T. 






1 



TO AMOS LAWRENCE, ESQ., 

®f 33o0ton, iWaBB. 

THIS VOLUME, 
WITH FEELINGS OF DEEP GRATITUDB, 

AND SENTBIENTS OF THE HIGHEST RESPECT, 

IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED 
BY 

KAlf-UE-OA-OAir-UOAVH. 



CONTENTS 



Page 
IXDIAN COrXTRY, LAKES, RIVERS, MOUNTAINS, &c., . 13 

ORIGIN, ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN TRADITIONS, . . 28 

WILD GAME &c., 33 

AMUSEMENTS 49 

THEIR WARS, 61 

LEGENDARY STORIES AND TRADITIONAL TALES, ... 97 
THEIR CURIOUS WRITINGS, ORIGINAL ALPHABET, LAN- 
GUAGE, 8:c., 122 

FORM OF GOVERNMENT, 13? 

THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEF, MANNER OF LIVING, IM- 
PROVEMENTS AND FUTURE PROSPECTS, . . 14? to 2GG 



PREFACE. 

In compliance with the oft-repeated request of a 
number of literary friends I present this volume to 
the public. In doing so there is another motive that 
has influenced me, and I may be pardoned, if here, at 
the commencement of my task, I briefly record it. 

In thus giving a sketch of my nation's history, de- 
scribing its home, its country and its peculiarities and 
in narrating its traditionary legends I may awaken in 
the iVmerican heart a deeper feeling for the race of red- 
men and induce the pale- face to use greater effort to 
effect an improvement in their social and political re- 
lations. 

You must know that my advantages have not been 
very great for the attairwnent of knowledge ; that, in 
common with my forest brethren I have, as the saying 
is, " been brought up in the woods." I feel incompe- 



7111 PREFACE. 

tent for my work, but, am impelled forward by the 
though: that the nation w^ioso history 1 here feebly 
sketch seems passing away and that unless a work 
like this is sent forth, much, very much that is inter- 
esting and instructive in that nations actions will 
with it pass away. 

Though I cannot wield the pen of a Macaulay or 
the graceful wand of an Irving with which to delin- 
eate an Indian's life, yet I move a pen guided by an 
intimate knowledge of the subject it traces out, the 
joys and the sorrows it records. 

It is not many years since I laid aside my bow and 
arrows, and the love for the wild forest, born with me, 
I yet retain. Twenty months passed in a school in 
Illinois has been the sum-total of my schooling, save 
that I have received in the wide world. During my 
residence of six years among the pale-faces I have 
acquired a knowledge of men and things, much, very 
much more I have yet to learn, and it is my desire 
that my brethren in the far west may share with me 
my crust of information ; for this end I have labored 
and do labor, and will continue to labor, till success 
crowns my efforts or my voice and hand are silent in 
the home of the departed. 

To the Christian and the Philanthropist, I present 



T'RKl ACE. ^ IX 

in these pages an account of the rise and progress of 
events which have greatly advanced the moral eleva- 
tion of my nation. Should they see in it anything to 
stimulate them to greater action, now is the time, the 
hour to act. It can be proved that the introduction 
of Christianity into the Indian tribes has been produc- 
tive of immense good. It has changed customs as old 
as any on the earth. It has dethroned error, and has 
enthroned truth. This fact is enough to convince any 
one of the unjustness and falsity of the common say- 
ing, that, " the Indian will be Indian still." 

Education and Christianity are to the Indian what 
wings are to the eagle that soar above his home. 
They elevate him ; and these given to him by men of 
right views of existence enable him to rise above the 
soil of degradation and hover about the high mounts 
of wisdom and truth. 

To the man of letters I would say, that in compli- 
ance with your request I am aware how far short I 
have fallen from satisfying you with a recital of the 
Ojib ways' history. 

Much has been lost to the world, through a neglect 

of educating the red-men who have lived and died in 

the midst of eduoationary privileges but have not been 

allowed to enjoy them. They hold a key which will 
1* 



PREFACE. 



unlock a library of information, the like of which is 
not. It is for the present generation to say, whether 
the last remnants of a powerful people shall perish 
through neglect and as they depart bear with them 
that key. 

Give the Indian the means of education and he will 
avail himself of them. Keep them from him and let 
me tell you he is not the only loser. 

The Indians at present mingle with the whites. 
The intercourse they have had together has not in all 
instances elevated the character of the former. The 
many hundreds of rude careless, fearless whites who 
have taken up their abode in frontier regions have in- 
duced the red-men to associate and unite with them 
in practices of dissipation. To the Americans at home 
I look for an antidote for this evil, which they as well 
as myself must most sincerely regret. 

Friends. Christians, your love for mankind extends 
beyond the border. Your love for mankind has pene- 
trated the forests, and is to-day shedding its holy influ- 
ence on many a happy group assembled around a 
birchen fire. May you not tire or grow faint. 

The history of the Ojibways like that of other In- 
lian tribes is treasured up in traditionary lore. It has 
Dcen passed dcnvn from age to ago on the tido of soiig, 



PREFACE. XI 

for there is much poetry in the narrative of the old 
sage as he dispenses his facts and fancies to the listen- 
ing group that throng around him. 

x\s the first volume of Indian history written by an 
Indian, with a hope that it may in some degree bene- 
fit his nation, and be the means of awakening an inter- 
est for the red-men of America in those whose homes 
are where they once lived and loved, this work is sent 
forth tremblingly, yet with hope by its Author. 

KAH-GE-GA-GAH.BOWH, 



CHAPTER I. 



THEIR COUNTRY. 



The extent of territory occupied by the Ojibway 
nation, is the largest of any Indian possessions of which 
there is any definite knowledge. 

Wlien the Champlain traders met them in 1610, its 
eastern boundary was marked by the waters of Lakes 
Huron and Michigan. The mountain ridge, lying 
between Lake Superior and the frozen Bay, was its 
northern barrier. On the west, a forest, beyond which 
an almost boundless prairie. On the south, a valley, 
by Lake Superior, thence to the southern part of 
Michigan. The land within these boundaries has 
always been known as the country of the Ojibways. 
It comprises some of the most romantic and beautiful 
scenery. There are crystal waters flowing over rocky 
beds, reflecting the mighty trees that for centuries 
have reared their stout branches above them. There 
are dense forests which no man has entered, which 
have never waked an echo to the woodman's axe, or 



14 TRADITIUNAL HISTORY OF 

.sounded with the sharp report of a sportsiTiairs rifle. 
Here are miles of wild flowers whose sweet fragrance, 
is borne on every southern breeze, and which form a 
carpet of colors as bright and beautiful as the rainbow 
that arches Niagara. 

The woodland is composed of a great variety of trees, 
mostly pine, hemlock, oak, cedar, and maple. As the 
traveller approaches the north, he will meet birch 
tamarach, spruce, and evergreen. 

In going from east to west, along the borders of the 
lakes, the scenery is so changing and of such kaleide- 
scope variety and beauty that description is impossible. 
There is room and opportunity for adventure among 
the bold, broken, rugged rocks, piled up one upon 
another in " charming confusion," on the shores, along 
the borders of the silent waters, or beneath the solid 
cliffs against which the waters of Superior break with 
a force which has polished their rocky surface. 

The mountains, rivers, lakes, cliffs, and caverns of 
the Ojibway country, impress one with the thought 
that Nature has there built a home for Nature's 
children. 

THEIR LAKES. 

It is unnecessary for me to describe minutely every 
lake that exists in the Ojibway territory. I- will men- 
tion those of greatest note, and which the traveller as 



THE OJTRWAY NATIO>f. J 5 

he stood upon the shore has viewed with an admiration 
bordering on idolatry ; for, surely, were there anything 
besides the Creator worthy of worship it would be His 
works. 

At one time the easternmost lake of the Ojibways 
was Huron. But they have, by their prowess, gained 
the waters of Ontario and Erie. 

Lake Huron is of great depth. Its waters are known 
by their beautiful clearness, and by the fact of their 
rise and fall once in every seven years. Its shores 
were lined with their canoes at a period shortly subse- 
quent to the introduction of fire arms into their midst. 
Rock abounds in great quantities, and the wood con- 
sists mainly of cedar, hemlock, pine, and tamarach. 
The hills rising in the south and in the north-east, 
present to the observer a very imposing appearance. 

From the main there juts forth a point of land, on 
one side of which is Greorgian Bay or Owen's Sound 
and the lake. The ledge of rocks near this has the 
appearance, at a distance, of a fortification. When the 
waters are calm and clear these rocks can be seen in 
huge fragments beneath their surface as if thrown 
there by some giant in other days. 

The great depth of the water of this lake has in- 
duced the belief amonof the Indians that it has a con- 
nection with other lakes, and possibly with the sea, 
and it has been supposed that* such is the cause of its 
rise and fall once in a certain number of years. 



16 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

Many stories are iold of monsters who are said to 
inhabit these waters and of the cause of the flowing 
of the water in the channel of the Manettoo Islands on 
the coast. 

As before stated the water of this lake is very clear^ 
In the year 1834 while journeying upon its northern 
borders I dropped a small silver coin. It rapidly de- 
scended till it was lodged upon a rock. I could see it 
very distinctly. I attached a cord to an axe and low- 
ered it till it touched the rock on which the money lay. 
On drawing it up and measuring the length of the 
cord I found, to my surprise, that the coin which I 
could see so distinctly was at a distance of seventy 
three feet from the surface of the water and about 
seventy five or eighty feet from where I stood. 

The bays near this lake are the Pantonogoshene, 
(Falling-Sand Bay,) and the Thunder Bay, The 
islands are numerous, and a three days' journey among 
them would convince any one that they are numbered 
by thousands. They are very similar to those in the 
St. Lawrence, known as " the thousand islands," 
masses of rock, as if thrown up by some mighty 
convulsion of nature. Many, however, are covered 
with low cedars, imparting to them a somewhat lovely 
and attractive appearance. 

The north-west and easterly winds cause an ebb and 
flow of water in the lake. 'J'he wind passes to ono 
side of the chain of islands, which runs in a line 



THE OJTBAVAY NATION. 17 

parallel with the north shore. It then rushes to and 
from the other extremity of« these islands, and thus 
causing a continual current. But other causes than 
this, effect the rise and fall, on return of seven years. 
These have been differently defined by different indi- 
viduals. The cause assigned by H. R. Schoolcraft, 
Esq., has been most generally received as the true 
one. I am not prepared to state here in full my own 
reasons for this singular fact, but I am in hopes to 
give them before long. 

On the shores of Huron have been fought some of 
the most severe battles between the Chippewas and 
the Iroquois. French River, Saganaw Bay, and 
Sagueeng, have been the scenes of these bloody and 
disastrous conflicts. 

Lake Superior, or, as it is named in the Ojibway 
language, Ke-che-gumme, is situated in the centre of 
the nation, and is not only the largest of its lakes, but 
the largest lake of water in the world. It has been 
called the " Great Lake of the Ojibways." 

This is the most remarkable of all lakes, not merely 
on account of its size, but on account of the pic- 
turesque scenery around it, and the almost innumera- 
ble traditions related of it and its borders. Every 
point of land, every bay of water has its legendary 
story to tell, and it is this that renders Lake Superior 
superior to all others in point of interest. This lake 
extends abrtut five hundred miles from east to west : 



IS TRADITIoXAl- HISTdRV OF 

the distance around is about fourteen hundred miles. 
The immense body of water within these limits are 
at times cahn and placid ; at others, furious and 
foaming, and as the waves lash the shores, the thunder 
of their voice echoes and re-echoes amid the rocky 
caverns which their constant action has made. 

From the highlands of " (ir^nd Cape*' or "Frog 
Hills" can be obtained one of the grandest views to be 
had on the lakes. Twenty-three miles from these are 
the celebrated " Falls of St. Mary's." Many, whose 
love of adventure has surmounted their fear of danger, 
have gone up in canoes above these falls, and from the 
summit of these hills have been doubly paid for their 
journey by the wide-extended view of the broad lake 
spread out before them. 

The sandy beach extends from " White Fish Point" 
southerly towards the Pictured Rocks, a distance of 
upwards of one hundred and fifty miles. At the upper 
end of this beach are the Sand Hills rising abruptly 
from the waters edge to a height of over three hundred 
feet. Next to these in point of interest are seen " the 
Pictured Rocks " which extend fourteen miles beyond 
the sandy l)each. 

All of the southern shore pres'^nts ahold and rugged 
appf;arance; and the northern is for the most part of 
the sam(i character. 

The tow(;ring dills t.liat border the lake, appear like 
giant sentinels; particularly at night, when the bright 



THK O JIB WAY NATION. 19 

light of the rising moon causes them to cast their sha- 
dows, do they thus appear, standing in bold relief with 
trees upon their sides, whose waving branches seem 
to give life to the tall-guards. 

These heights are connected with many traditionary 
stories ; and, according to the superstition of our fore- 
fathers, the heroes of many romances loiter upon their 
sides. 

Red Lake, Leach Lake, Mill Lake and Lake AYin- 
nipeg are in the North. 

Leach Lake is noted as being the resort of wild 
fowl. They are there found in great numbers, being 
attracted to the spot by the wild rice which is there 
met with in vast quantities. 

The waters of Mill Lake flow into the Mississippi 
River. It is about sixty miles in circumference. Its 
shores abound with valuable cornelian stones, and its 
adjacent woods with a great variety of game. 



THEIR RIVERS. 

Their Rivers are the largest in the world. First in 
importance and magnitude is the Mississippi, on whose 
banks for two thousand miles can be seen the most 
enchanting scenery. The St. Lawrence flowing from 
the source of the St. Louis River, at the head of Lake 
Superior, from lake to lake, till the vast body precipi- 
tates itself over the Falls of Niagara, and sweeping by 



20 TRADITION AT. HISTORY OF 

"the Thoiisand lylanJs " and over the Lachiene Ra- 
pids, mingles with that of the Gulf of St Lawrence, 
Another stream flows from near the head of the Missis- 
sippi. Red River flows from the edge of the Prairie, 
first westward, but soon clianges its course, and passes 
in a northerly direction till the frozen regions stay its 
farther progress. 

These mentioned, are the principal rivers from 
which they drank in that happy time when they knew 
not of that insidious foe, — " the fire water." 

In addition to these there are a number of rivers, 
which, in any other country would be considered 
" great." Those flowing into the Mississippi are the 
Crow-wing, St. Croix, Chippeway, and Wisconsin. 
Those flowing into the St. Lawrence are the Montreal 
and Burnt-VvT)od. I speak of those in the Ojibway 
country. Near Haron are the Mohawk, Sagianaw, 
Tranti, and others running their waters into the Lakes. 
When 1 look upon the land of the Ojibways 1 can- 
not but be convinced of the fact that in no other por- 
tion of the world can there be a territory more favored 
by Heaven. The waters are abundant and good; the 
air bracing and healthy; and the soil admiringly adapt- 
ed for agricultural purposes. It is not much to be 
wondered at that in such a climate, such a strong, ath- 
letic and hardy race of men should exist, as the Ojib- 
ways are generally acknowledged to be. In fact, they 
could scared v be otherwise. There is as much diifer- 



THE OJlliWAY iNATlUiN. 21 

ence between them and many tribes of tbc South as 
there is between the strong wind and gentle zephyr. 



THEIR MOUx\TlANS. 

The mountains are few. There are, however, quite 
a number of eminences, not exactly to be rated under 
the name of mountains and I am sure cannot be called 
level earth. There are many heights along the south- 
ern shore of Lake Superior and some in the north to 
Vv-hicH the title of mountains is applied. There are 
numerous lofty peaks of granite, a short distance back 
from the shore of Lake Huron and the northern shore 
of Lake Ontario. I have walked over that part of the 
country for many days in succession and have seen 
nothing but these granite hills, most of which are des- 
titute of wood. There was a time when they were 
well covered with trees that took root in the clefts, 
but they were all destroyed by fire and the peaks to- 
day present a very barren and inattractive appear- 
ance. 

The Porcupine Mountains near La Point, can be 
seen, in a clear day, at a distance of eighty miles from 
their base. One of the grandest sights I have ever 
witnessed, was a view of this range of mountains, at a 
distance, when the morning sun was rising above their 



22 TRADITIONAL III^^^OKY OF 

summits, and a fog from the lake enveloped their tops. 
It was indeed worth the night's journey to behold. 

The Missawbay Heights are formed of ledges of rock, 
piled one upon another, and lie in a line parallel with 
the north-west shore. There are numerous mountains 
and hills on the northern shore of Lake Superior. The 
elevation known as "the Thunder Mountains." have 
the singular appearance of a lion crouching for its prey. 
A curious legend is told of this range, which will be 
related in a subsequent chapter. 

The Caraboo Heights, below the Thunder Mountains, 
are deserving of mention. They are viewed with admi- 
ration by all tourists who approach them. Upon these 
heights are to be seen figures, claiming the attention 
of those curious in ancient lore, which, if rightly inter- 
preted, might possibly furnish a clue to the origin of 
the Chi ppe ways. 

There is another mountain, the only one in fact, 
that is visible from the lake at a great distance. Adja- 
cent to the mountains are numerous hills, thickly 
wooded and carpeted with rich moss, soft as velvet and 
of beautiful variegated colors. 

The mountainous edge, near the source of Lake Supe- 
rior on one side, and the Mississippi River on the other, 
is quite high. It commences on the south shore of 
Lake Superior, and runs in a westerly direction, to tho 
head of the river St. Croix. 

I have now given an imperfect outline of the lakes, 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 23 

rivers, and mountains of the country occupied by the 
Ojibways. It is in the midst of such that they now 
and have for years lived. There they roamed to the 
chase and hastened to the field of combat. Their 
canoes floated by the shores of those mighty lakes, or 
glided smoothly down the stream. On those waters 
they departed at early dawn, and returned at dusk 
with loads of venison. 

The war-cry resounded among those cliffs and rocky 
passes, and the merry shout and song of children glad- 
dened the old chieftain's heart. 

In 1610, from each of those thousand islands the 
smoke arose from the wigwams of a numerous tribe. 

That was the day of their glory and prosperity. 
Then their shouts of triumph were answered from peak 
to peak, for a distance of two thousand miles west, 
and four hundred north. 

Review what has been said. Look at their country 
and say has any nation possessed a better. The 
mountains of the north covered with evergreens, shad- 
ing the wide lakes. The high hills on the south, rising 
cliff upon cliff, till the uppermost is concealed by the 
clouds. The Missaw Bay Heights on the west, stand- 
ing like towers in naked grandeur, looking down with 
contempt, as it were, on the hundred streams whose 
roar rises with the mist which envelops their summits. 
Deep ravines, through which the streams as they 
pass sing the songs of nature in soft strains, till gath- 



24 TRADITIONAL HISTORV OF 

eriiig strength, the waters dash over rocks in deep 
caverns, and thunder forth in heavier tones. 

I have stood on one of the mountain peaks and seen 
a column of snow descending upon the icy waters of 
Lake Superior, a distance of fifty miles, and it has 
taken one day and a-half to reach the edge of the lake 
which lay at the base of the mountain. 

The sun rises and sets with beautiful effect. Its 
rays resting upon the clouds and reflected from them, 
clothe the whole extent in robes of fire ; every hill 
seems blazing with the glory of the sun. In every ray 
is seen the spirit of poetry. 

Suppose yourself standing at a distance, and behold 
ing one of the nation going up the mountain's side 
near him the waters of Superior — 

" Lay weary and still after storm." 

Over his head the forest trees w^aved their heavy 
branches. Behold him ! he stands there ruler of the 
forest world. One of Nature's sons standing in her 
own battlements. His erect and manly form, his easy, 
graceful motion, are true indications of the exalted soul 
that lives its active life vrithin. Living as he does, 
amid the happiest creations of the Great Creator, he 
cannot but adore and worship Him. His devotion is 
pure. He 

•' Sees God in storms and hoars Wim in the wind." 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 25 

Nature points him up to Nature's God. I love my 
country ; and will any of my readers condemn a child 
of the forest for loving his country and his nation? 

" Land of the forest and the rock — 

Of dark-blue lake and mighty river — 
Of mountains reared aloft to mock 
The storm's career, the lightning's shock — 
My own green land forever!" 

I cannot better close this chapter than by subjoining 
the following graphic description of " The Pictured 
Rocks," given by G-eneral Lewis Cass : 

"Upon the southern coast of Lake Superior, about 
fifty miles from the Falls of St. Mary, are immense, 
precipitous cliffs, called by the voyageur Le Fottrail, 
the Pictured Rocks. This name has been given them 
in consequence of the different appearances which they 
present to the traveler, as he passes their base in his 
canoe. It requires little aid from the imagination to 
discern in them the castellated tower and lofty dome, 
and every sublime, grotesque, or fantastic shape, which 
the genins of architecture ever invented. These cliffs 
are an unbroken mass of rocks, rising to the elevation 
ot three hundred feet above the level of the lake, and 
stretching along the coast for fifteen miles. 

" The voyagers never pass this coast except in the 
most profound calm; and the Indians, before they 
make the attempt, offer their accustomed oblation, to 



26 TRADITIONAT- HI>;T0RY OF 

propitiate the favor of their Monitas. The eye instantly 
searches along the eternal rampart, for a single place 
of security ; but the search is vain. With an impas- 
sable barrier of rocks on one side, and an interminable 
expanse of water on the other, a sudden storm upon 
the lake would as inevitably assure destruction of the 
passenger in his frail canoe, as if he were on the brink 
of the cataract of Niagara. 

*' The rock itself is a sand-stone, which is disinte- 
grated by the continual action of the water with com- 
parative facility. There are no broken masses upon 
which the eye can rest and find relief. The lake is so 
deep, that these masses, as they are torn from the 
precipice, are concealed beneath its waters until it is 
reduced to sand. The action of the waves has removed 
every projecting point. 

*' When we passed this immense fabric of nature, 
the wind was still and the lake was calm. But even 
the slightest motion of the waves, which in the most 
profound calm agitates these eternal seas, swept 
through the deep caverns with the noise of the distant 
thunder, and died away upon the ear, as it rolled 
forward in the dark recesses inaccessible to human 
observation. 

"No sound more melancholy or more awful ever 
vibrated upon human nerves. It has left an impres- 
sion which neither time nor distance can ever efface. 

" Ptesting in a frail bark canoe, upon the limpid 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 27 

waters of the lake, we seemed almost suspended in the 
air, so pellucid is the element upon which we floated. 
In gazins: upon the towering battlements which im« 
pended over us, and from which the smallest fragments 
would have destroyed us, we felt, and felt intensely 
our own insignificance. No situation can be imagined 
more appalling to the courage, or more humbling to 
the pride of man. We appeared like a small speck 
upon the broad face of creation, 

*' Our whole party, Indians, voyagers, soldiers, offi- 
cers, and servants, contemplated in mute astonishment 
the awful display of creative power, at whose base wo 
hung ; and no sound broke upon the ear to interrupt 
the careless roaring of the waters. No cathedral, no 
temple built with human hands, no pomp of worship 
could ever impress the spectator with such humility, 
and so stiong a conviction of the immense distance 
between him and the Almighty Architect." 



CHAPTER II. 

THEIR ORIGIN, OR COURSE OF MIGRATION ACCORDING TO 
THEIR TRADITIONS. 

In listening to the traditions of the Indians in their 
wigwams, the traveller will learn that the chiefs are 
the repositories of the history of their ancestors. AVith 
these traditions there are rules to follow by which to 
determine whether they are true or false. By these 
rules I have been governed in my researches. 

The first is to inquire particularly into the leading 
points of every tradition narrated. 

The second is to notice whether the traditions are 
approved by the oldest chiefs and wise men. Such are 
most lilvcly to be true, and if places or persons are 
mentioned, additional clue is given to their origin and 
proof obtained of their truth or falsity. 

The chiefs have generally been those who have at 
all times retained a general history of their nation. 

From the year ISGl, to the present time, I liavo 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 



29 



been in communication with our nation, with every 
portion of it. All appear to adopt the belief that most 
of the Indians came from the west. The present Ojib- 
ways, or those now called Messamgans, settled in 
Canada "West after the years 1634 and '35. They 
came over from St. Marie's River to Lake Huron, and 
relate in their traditions an account of those who came 
to the FaUs of St. Mario from Pe-quab-qua-ivav-ming, 
near the Avee Bay, on the south shore of Lake Supe- 
rior. Others, no doubt, in the year 1642, came to this 
northern shore of the lake. I have heard that these 
came from La Point, or Shah-gah-ivab-nick. In this 
place the Indians lived a long time. Still they trace 
their own trail to the waters of Red and Sandy Lakes, 
which places they all, or nearly all, look back to as 
the home of their forefathers. War came, and in their 
exercise gi it against other nations, they moved east- 
ward from La Point and towards the south against 
the Sioux. 

When they moved from Red and Sandy Lakes, it 
was the fisheries of Lake Superior that attracted them 
from their old haunts and induced them to leave the 
scenes to which, for so many years, they had been 
accustomed. 

The same attraction is supposed to have drawn the 
Sioux to the south-west end of Lake Superior and to 
the land bordering all along below Sha-gah-wab-nick, 
In a short time contentions arose between the Ojibways 



30 TRADITIONAL IHSTORY OF 

and the Sioux about the right of occupancy. The 
game of the land and the Fish of the waters was 
probably the first cause of hostility between the two- 
powerful nations, — a hostility which has been marked 
by many acts of cruelty on both sides. "War com- 
menced for the retention of the hunting-lands, and a 
neutral ground having been between them ever since, 
the first cause of other wars has been forgotten, and 
the repeated ravages of death made upon each party 
have obliterated the remembrance of the cause of the 
early contention. 

DISTRIBUTION OF LAND. 

I HAVE heard a tradition related to the effect that a 
general council was once held at some point above the 
Falls of St. Anthony, and that when the Ojibways 
came to this general council they wore a peculiar shoe 
or moccasin, which was gathered on the top from the 
tip of the toe, and at the ancle. No other Indians 
wore this style of foot-gear, and it was on account of 
this peculiarity that they were called Ojibivay^ the 
signification of which, is gathering. 

At this council the land was distributed. That 
part which fell to the lot of the Ojibways is said to 
have been the surrounding country of Red Lake, and 
afterwards Sandy and Leach Lakes, which statement 
coincides with that of the chiefs of the village of La 
Point, or the Shah-gah-wah-nick. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. ol 

The Sauks were once a part of the Chippeway 
family, as also were the Menomenies and the Ottawas. 
About the year 1613 the latter began to leave the 
main body near Lake Superior. When the traders of 
Champlain began their operations with the Chippeways, 
the French called them " the trading Indians," (Otta- 
w^as.) The Sauks fought with the Sioux on the upper 
waters of those lakes which run down from the 
southern shores of Lake Superior. They also engaged 
in combat with the Shawnees of southern Illinois. 

Though the Ojibways occupied but a small piece of 
territory at first, they soon extended their dominions 
to the very borders of the snow-clad hills of the north, 
and in the streams of that cold region watched for the 
beaver, whose furs were wrought by them into warm 
clothing. 

It was at a date just prior to Pontiac's time, that 
the Ojibways met the Shawnees on the waters of Erie 
and united with them in a successful war against the 
Iroquois in Canada West, after which the two, Ojibways 
and Shawnees, settled down in the country of the 
Hurons. 

The battle-grounds are yet to be seen, and many 
marks of the savage warfare are now visible. 

1634 and 1635 were years of glorious triumph. 
The nation had sought intercourse with the French in 
Montreal, and their communication was carried on by 
journeys through the lands of an intermediate nation. 



33 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

The intercession resulted in a long and disastrous 
war, in which the Ojibways were victorious. After 
this they enjoyed a free communication with the 
French, with whom they have had friendly intercourse 
from that time to the present. 

They fought their way through the lands of hostile 
nations from the west end of Lake Superior along 
the entire lake country. The shores of Lake Supe- 
rior, Lake Huron, and the River St. Lawrence, 
abound with their battle fields. The dust of many a 
brave now lies there, friend and foe in one common 
resting-place. 

Exciting stories of the doings of those days have 
been passed down from mouth to mouth. So the old 
man related them the blood of the young Ojibways 
ran swiftly through his veins, and his eye shone with 
the fire of enthusiasm. 

The war-whoop's shrill notes have now died away. 
Now the wigwam stands undisturbed, and the hymn 
of peace is chanted within their thatched walls. 

Behold the change ! Commerce urged on by the 
pale-face, strides rapidly and withlessly into their 
midst, and orders them back, back, back, to make way 
for its houses and its merchandize. Scarce is he 
camped, ere once again he is told to go farther west. 
"When will the last order be given ? When will the 
red-man have a home ? 




!'.!^^ '^ ,„>; i;!i!ii^ii!iii;ii;i;ii!fl!iy.' ' 



CHAPTER III. 



THEIR WILD GAME. 



^ There is, doubtless, a greater variety of game to be 
found in the Ojibway Country than in any other equal 
extent of Western territory. The northern part is not 
so well supplied with large game as that district near 
the head waters of the Wisconsin, Chippeway, St. Croix, 
Mississippi and Red Rivers. 

Small game is to be found on the Northern shores of 
the Lakes with the hardy Reindeer, such as the Rabbit, ■ 
Lynx, Martin, and Fisher. The three latter have been 
a source of much profit on accoimt of their furs. The 
rabbit has been the principal game for the Northern 
Indians, who snare them for their food and skins. These 
latter are made into strings and woven into blankets. — 
They also make their garments of these skins, and are 
dressed in them from head to foot. The eyes of a pale 
face would considerably extend on beholding a fellow 



34 'lU A DITIONAL HISTORY OP 

in such accoutrement. These Indians reside in the in- 
terior of the shores of Lake Superior, in the North. We 
call tliem (Nopeming Tah-she-e-ne-neh) Backwoodmen. 
The deer are found in almost all parts of the country, 
though not as much in the North as in the South. In 
the spring they migrate to the North, and return to the 
South in the fall, few ever wintering in the North on 
account of the great depth of snow in that quarter. 

This animal was killed in four different ways before 
the introduction of fire-arms. The first was by a snaje 
formed of a rope of wild hemp, and so placed that when 
the deer's neck was caught, the more stir he made the 
more he could'nt stir. At every movement the cord 
would wind about the neck tighter and tighter, until he 
was choked, for at one end of the rope would be fixed a 
small rail, which the large end slips off, and in falling 
it prys upon the deer, who in a short time dies. When 
they wished to get through soon, they placed these 
snares all around for half k day, then drive the deer all 
over the snares imtil some are caught. 

The second was by driving sharp spikes of wood into 
the ground on the deer path, just the other side of a log 
over which they would be expected to jump. In jump- 
ing the logs, they must fall upon these sharp spikes, 
v^^hich would pierce them through, and thus kill them. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 35 

The third way was to drive the deer with dogs into 
the water, when, being out of their element, they could 
be captured. In winter, instead of driving them into 
water, a short chase in the deep snow would soon tire 
them, and they were soon at the disposal of the hunter. 
^ The fourth and last manner of killing them was by 
means of bow and arrow. Bows were made of a power 
to enable them to shoot through the side of a deer with- 
out any difficulty. The Indian watched at the " Salt 
Licks," or at the borders of lakes or rivers, to which the 
deer often go to feed on the grass. An Indian can shoot 
a deer in the woods at a distance of fifty paces. 

The bow was generally made of iron-wood or red 
cedar; sometimes of hickory, well seasoned. The 
arrows were made like spikes at the end. Before they 
had iron, they used bone and shell for the ends : the 
shells were carved in such a manner as to admit of be- 
ing pointed at the end of the arrow. I have no recol- 
lection of killing but one deer with an arrow, as fire 
arms came into the field of action as soon as I did. I 
remember being at the foot of Rice Lake, Canada West, 
with others on a hunting tour in the night. Soon after 
nine o'clock, we heard the animal feeding in the grass 
by the shore. Having a lighted candle, we placed it in 

a three-sided lantern ; opening one side, the liglit was 
C 



30 TRADITIONAL HISTdKY OF 

throwni upoii the deer only. By this contrivance we 
were enabled to approach so near it in our canoe, that it 
appeared to be bnt trn or fifteen paces from iis. I drew 
my bow-string — the arrow winged its way — the deer 
made a few short leaps, and died. 

During my travels in the East, I have met with indi- 
viduals whom I found it difficult to convince that the 
Indian's arrow could execute so much, and doubted me 
when I told them that with it they killed deer, bears, 
and such like. 

Several years ago, in the State of New- York, an elderly 
gentleman, a farmer and myself were entertained by a 
kind family to tea. The gentleman monopolized all the 
time for conversation with questions about the Indian 
mode of life. I answered them all as well as I could, 
though some of them were so vejy odd, that it was with 
the exercise of the greatest muscular strength that I 
could refrain from laughing in the inquisitive person's 
face. He seemed satisfied with all my answers except 
those in relation to killing deer with bow and arrow. — 
He doubted. He could'nt bring his mind to believe such 
a thing possible. After laboring half an hour to con- 
vince him of the fact that we could, he turned aside, 
firmly resolved not to believe me. I held my tongue, 
half mad ; and made the proposition that the next day 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 37 

I would make a bow and a couple of arrows, and as I 
understood he was a farmer, 1 should get him to furnish 
a yearling calf, and if in shooting I did not hit it, I 
would pay him the price of the calf if he desired it ; 
but if, on the contrary, I should hit it, and kill it, then 
it should be mine ! While our friends at the table could 
not wait till the morrow to know the result, my friend, 
the doubting gentleman, coolly declined, saying he be- 
lieved we could kill deer at sixty paces if we hit it at 
all. I and my friends endeavored to provoke him to 
accept my proposition, but failed to accomplish our pur- 
pose, his avarice overcoming his unbounded curiosity ! 
Bears are also taken by means of bow and arrow. — 
They are very easily captured in winter, for then they 
are foimd in hollow logs and in the ground enjoying 
their winter quarters. The black bear is to be found all 
over the Ojibway country. They are more numerous 
in years when fruit and acorns are abundant. Some of 
the Ojibway people believe the bear to be a transformed 
being ; in other words, that it was once a more intelli- 
gent creation, and for this reason they profess a great 
veneration for its head and paws, but not so much for 
its meat, for they relish that very highly, and seem to 
forget its former intelligence when indulging their appe- 
tites with a savory steak. The head and paws aro 



33 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

festooned with colored cloth and ribbons, and suspended 
at the upper end of the Indian's lodge. At the nose 
they bestow a very liberal quantity of tobacco, as a sort 
of peace-offering to the dead animal. 

In early life I received a lecture from my father upon 
hunting. He related many cmming stories of the bear, 
and I remember I got so courageous that the next day 
I was all the time in a perfect fright, thinking every 
brush heap I met the hiding place of some old Bruin. 

In the year 1832, I made my first appearance as a 
bear hunter. It was in the fall of the year that I with 
others left our homes with the intention of being absent 
for three or fom* weeks. We went down Crook's Rapids 
below Rice Lake, to hunt. I remember how skittish I 
felt at first, as I shouldered my gun and followed the 
six hunters before me into the woods, for just then all 
the cunning stories I had heard were fresh in my mind. 
We came to a halt about three miles distant from our 
starting place, and the head hunter, my father, gave his 
companions a brief description of the face of the country 
and of the places to which the bear would be most likely 
to resort, for then they were eating acorns. Around us 
we could see newly- made tracks of the deer and bear ; 
my lips parclied, and my whole body fevered with 
anxiety. When my father had finished his account, he 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 39 

turned to me, and said : — " My son, don't go vSry far ; 
keep behind the rest as you hear the firing of guns, and 
when you think it is time to return, you can come round 
this way and go towards home :" then, waving his 
hand, off the party started in every direction. I, too, 
went one way. 

When I lost sight of the others of my party, all the 
" cunning stories" about the bear — of its hiding under 
rotten logs, of its pretending to die, and its sudden at- 
tacks, rushed upon my mind. I was soon roused from 
my reverie, for in less than twenty minutes I heard the 
reports of guns from all directions ; but for all this I 
walked along as well as I could, looking out for a bear 
which I was afraid of seeing^ and yet hunting for, 

I would walk along in the open space, so that I might 
see my bear at a distance, and not come suddenly upon 
him or he upon me. The guns were fired every few 
minutes. I could see, occasionally, deer at a distance 
running at full speed. While I was passing along at 
the foot of the hills on which the thick foliage concealed 
the logs, which lay piled one upon another, I heard a 
tremendous crash near the top. I stood, as if transfixed 
to the spot, and sure enough, I could see the branches 
of the young trees waving, and thought I could see ob- 
jects approaching me. I scarce dare to wink, and trem- 



40 TUADiriONAL IIlsTORV OF 

blod iff my scarlet leggins, when to my dread astonish- 
ment I saw a large bear coming down towards me, like 
a hogshead rolling down a hill ! I jumped behind a 
pine tree, and prepared for the combat. He came at me 
at a full gallop, and I feared the worst. When he had 
approached to within five paces from me, I thought it 
time to define my position, and make some demonstra- 
tion of war. I sprang from my hiding place, and alighted 
upon the ground. I hallooed at the top of my voice, 
" Yah !" and at the same time pointed the muzzle of my 
gun to the white spot on the breast of the animal. I 
fired, and the smoke enveloped myself and the bear. — 
As I did so, I fell to the ground, and a bundle of leaves 
which the bear had scratched up in his " exercises" fell 
upon my face. This I thought to be the bear, and fall- 
ing backward, I expected the fellow would get to be 
quite loving of his new-fomid companion, and in the 
transports of his joy, hug me to death. But when I 
raised my head, I learned my mistake, and beheld a 
tremendous animal apparently in the agonies of depart- 
ing life. I arose, picked up my gun, which had fallen 
from my hand, and immediatety reloaded it, in order to 
be prepared if his actions proved to be a farce instead of 
a tragedy. I took a long pole and poked him consider- 
ably. He did not show any signs of life. Yet so doubt 



THE OJIBWAV NAilUN. 41 

fill was I of his death, that I left him. Thus ended my 
first adventure on a bear-hunting excursion. 

In the immediate vicinity of Lake Superior, Indians trap 
bears in large " dead falls." Near Red and Lead Lakes, 
they take them when crossing the water. Some years ago, 
they were thus captured at the head of Lake Superior. 

The Moose aiid Deer are also taken, chiefly however 
in the Northern parts of Lake Superior and in the 
vicinity of Red Lake. The Moose is one of the largest 
animals found, and the hunters have quite a meny time 
when three or four are taken at one time. It is consid- 
ered best to take them before they leave their yard in 
the winter. If they are not thus taken, it is very difii- 
cult to secure them, as they are very fleet. 

The Reindeer is taken in all partis of the North West. 
It is the hardiest animal in the country. They are 
often chased for days in succession by the Indians, and 
a coat of ice is seen to cover them, caused by their per- 
spiration ; at the same time a thick steam arises from 
them. They go in droves, and when they are on the 
run, the light snow rises in clouds in every direction. — 
The skin of the deer, as well as the skins of all the ani- 
mals I have mentioned, are manufactured into clothing, 
and are oftentimes dressed in a beautiful manner and 
highly ornamented. 



42 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

The Elk is to be found in the West, on the neutral 
ground, lying between the Sioux and Ojibway nations ; 
at the head waters of the Wisconsin ; in the Northern 
parts of Michigan, and near the Chippeway, St. Croix, 
Rum and Red Rivers. This is one of the noblest look- 
ing animals in our country. When on the run its head 
is held high, its back curved, on which its large horns 
appear to rest. At one tim-e, in 1837, I saw a drove of 
five hundred ; and a more animating sight I never be- 
held. I shot one, and being at that time a prisoner at 
the foot of Lake Pepin, and wishing to be generous to 
my enemies, I took it to the chief of the tribe that held 
me. Soon after I was liberated, and with my cousin 
Johnson was permitted to depart. 

The Buffalo is taken only at the head of Red River, 
where the Chippeways and the half-breeds kill between 
eight and ten thousand every year. The Indians form 
into companies and take their wagons with them when 
they go on a Buffalo hunt. The drove of Buffalo is 
very large, and grazing they blacken the prairie as far 
as the eye can rcacli. 

The tread of the Bufialo makes the earth to tremble. 
The hunters are mounted on ponys, who are so taught 
that when a wounded animal falls they immediately 
start fur an encounter with another. The Indian gath- 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 43 

ers his arrows from the grass while he is riding at 
full speed — a feat which is considered very dexter- 
ous, but which is quite common on tlie western prai- 
ries. 

Before leaving this noble animal, I must indulge my 
readers with what a recent writer says respecting it : 
prefacing it with the remark that the Bison and the 
Buffalo are one and the same. 

" From the species of the ox kind the Bison is well 
distinguished by the following peculiarities. A long 
shaggy hair, clothes the fore parts of the body, forming 
a well marked beard, beneath the lower jaw, and de- 
scending behind the knee in a taft ; this hair rises on 
the top of the head in a dense mass nearly as high as 
the extremities of the horns. Over the forehead it is 
closely curled and matted so thickly as to deaden the 
power of a rifle ball, which either rebounds or lodges in 
the hair, merely causing the animal to shake his head 
as he heavily bounds along. The head of the Bison is 
large and ponderous, compared to the size of the body : 
so that the muscles for its support, necessarily of great 
size, give great thickness to the neck, and by their origin 
from the prolonged dorsal vertebrsB processes, form 
the peculiar projection called the hump. This hump is 
of an oblong form, diminishing in height as it recedes, 



44 * TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

SO as to give considerable obliquity to the line of the 
neck. 

The eye of the Bison is small, black and brilliant ; 
the horns are black, and very thick near the head, 
where they curve upwards and outwards, rapidly taper- 
ing towards their points. 

The outward line of the face is convexly curved, and 
llie upper lip, on each side being papillons within, di- 
lates and extends downwards, giving a very oblique 
appearance to the lateral gap of the mouth, in this par- 
ticular resembling the ancient architectural bas-relief, 
representing the heads of oxen. The physiognomy of 
the Bison is menacing and ferocious, and no one can 
see this animal in his native wilds without feeling in- 
clined to attend to his personal safety. 

The summer coat of the Bison differs from his winter 
dress rather by difference of length than by any other 
particulars. 

In summer from the shoulders backward, the 
hinder parts of the animal are all covered with a very 
fine short hair that is as smooth and soft to the touch 
as velvet. 

The tail is quite short and tufted at the end, and its 
utihty as a fly brush is very limited. The color of tlie 
hair is uniformly dun ; but the long hair on the anterior 



THE OJIBWAY NATION'. 45 

parts of the body is, to a certain extent, tinged with yel- 
lowish or rust color. These animals, however, present 
so little variety in regard to color, that the natives con- 
sider any remarkable diiference from the common ap- 
pearance as resulting from the immediate interference 
of the Great Spirit. 

Some varieties of color have been observed, though 
the instances are rare. 

A Missouri trader informed the members of Long's 
exploring party, that he had seen a greyish white Bison, 
and a yearling calf, that was distinguished by several 
white spots on the side, a star or blaze in the forehead, 
and white fore-feet. Mr. I. Doughty, an interpreter to 
the expeaition, saw in an Indian hut a very well pre- 
pared Bison's head with a star on the front. This was 
highly prized by the proprietor, who called it his great 
medicine ; for, said he, the herds come every season to 
the vicinity to seek their white companion. 

In appearance, the Bison cow bears the same relation 
to the bull as is borne by the domestic cow to her mate. 
Her size is much smaller, and she has much less hair 
on the fore-part of her body. The horns of the cow are 
much less than those of the bull, nor are they so much 
connected by the hair. 

The cow is by no means destitute of boaxd ; but 



40 TllADlTIONAL HISTORY OF 

though she possesses the conspicuous appendage, it 
is quite short wlien compared with that of her com- 
panion. 

From July to the latter part of December the Bison 
cow continues fat. 

Tlieir breeding season commences towards the lat- 
ter part of July, and continues until the beginning of 
September, and often the cows separate from the 

bulls in distinct herds, and bring forth their calves in 
April, 

The calves rarely separate from the mother before 
they are a year old, and cows are often seen accompa- 
nied by calves of three seasons. 

The flesh of the Bison is somewhat coarser in its 
fibres than that of the domestic ox, yet travellers are 
unanimous in considering it equally savory as an arti- 
cle of food ; we must however receive the opinions of 
travellers on this subject with allowance for their pecu- 
liar situation, being frequently at a distance from all 
other food, and having their relish improved by the best 
of recommendations in favor of the present viands, — 
hunger. 

It is with reason, however, that the flesh is said to be 
more agreeable, or the grass on which these animals 
feed is short, firm and nutritious, being very diflerent 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 47 

from the luxurious and less saline grass produced on a 
more fertile soil. 

The fat of the Bison is said to be far sweeter and 
richer, and generally preferable to that of the common 
ox. • 

The observations made in relation to the Bison's flesh 
when compared to the flesh of the domestic ox, may be 
extended to almost all wild meat, which has a peculiar 
flavor and raciness, which renders it decidedly more 
agreeable than that of tame animals, although much 
coarser, and the fibre by no means so delicate. 

Of all the parts of the Bison that are eaten, the hump 
is most famed for its peculiar richness and delicacy, be- 
cause when cooked 'tis said very much to resemble 
marrow. 

The tongue and marrow bones are also highly 
esteemed by the hunters." 

Before dismissing the subject of game, I must men- 
tion those animals that are taken principally lor their 
fur. I cannot enter into a detailed account of these. 
The furs brought into the market by the Ojibways, have 
ever been considered the best. They consist for the 
most part of Beaver, Otter, Martin, Fisher and Lynx. 

The interior of the Canadian country, between the 
shores of Ontario, Huron and Lake Superior, was once 



4S TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

well hunted for the beaver, but its pelt being here val- 
ueless, they are increasing in numbers. 

These are some of the animals caught by the Ojib- 
ways on land. There is an abundance of fish in all 
their waters. The best of these is the sweet fish of the 
lakes, iSis-ka-7vaj/, which is esteemed a very great deli- 
cacy ; and many others which I will not mention, lest 
I should Aveary my readers, but will allow them to 
swim from my sight. 



CHAPTER IV. 



PLAYS AND EXERCISES. 



"Fantastic, frolicksome and wild, 

With all the trinkets of a child " 

Cotton. 



I believe all the Indian nations of this Continent have 
amusements among them. Those of the Prairie nations 
are different from those of the Ojibways, suitable to their 
wide, open fields. The plays I am about to describe are 
the principal games practised by the people of my nation. 
There are others ; and chance games are considerably 
in vogue among them. 

One of the most popular games is that of ball-play- 
ing, which oftentimes engages an entire village. Par- 
ties are formed of from ten to several hundred. Before 
they commence, those who are to take a part in the 
play must provide each his share of staking, or things 
which are set apart ; and one leader for each party. 



50 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

Each leader then appoints one of each company to be 
stake-holder. 

Each man and each woman (women sometimes en- 
gage in the sport) is armed with a stick, one end of 
which bends somewhat like a small hoop, about four 
inches in circumference, to which is attached a net 
work of raw-hide, two inches deep, just large enough to 
admit the ball which is to be used on the occasion. — 
Two poles are driven in the ground at a distance of 
four hundred paces from each other, which serves as 
goals for the two parties. It is the endeavor of each to 
take the ball to his hole. The party which carries the 
ball and strikes its pole wins the game. 

The warriors, very scantily attired, yoimg and brave 
fantastically painted — and women, decorated with 
feathers, assemble arotmd their commanders, who are 
generally men swift on the race. They are to take the 
ball either by running with it or throwing it in the air. 
As the ball falls in the crowd the excitement begins. — 
The clubs swing and roll from side to side, the players 
run and shout, fall upon and tread upon each other, and in 
the struggle some get rather rough treatment. 

When the ball is thrown some distance on each side, 
the party standing near instantly pick it up, and run at 
full speed with three or four after him at full speed. — 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 51 

The others send their shouts of encouragement to tlicir 
own party. " Ha ! ha ! yah !" " A-ne-gook !" and 
these shouts are heard even from the distant lodges, for 
children and all are deeply interested in the exciting 
scene. The spoils are not all on which their interest is 
fixed, but is directed to the falling and rolling of the 
crowds over and under each other. The loud and 
merry shouts of the spectators, who crowd the doors of 
the wigwams, go forth in one continued peal, and tes- 
tify to tlicir happy state of feeling. 

The players are clothed in fur. They receive blows 
whose marks are plainly visible after the scuffle. The 
hands and feet are unincumbered, and they exercise 
them to the extent of their power ; and with such dex- 
terity do they strike the ball that it is sent out of sight. 
Another strikes it on its descent, and for ten minutes at 
a time the play is so adroitly managed that the ball 
does not touch the ground. 

No one is lieard to complain, though he be bruised 
severely, or his nose come in close communion with a 
club. If the last mentioned catastrophe befell him, he 
is up in a trice, and sends his laugh forth as loud as the 
rest, though it be floated at first on a tide of blood. 

It is very seldom, if ever, that one is seen to be angry 

because he has been hurt. If he should get so, they 
D 



62 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

would call him a " coward," which proves a sufficient 
check to many evils which might result from many 
seemingly intended injuries. 

While I was in La Point, Lake Superior, in the sum- 
mer of 1830, when the interior band of Chippeways, 
with those of Sandy Lake, Lac Counterville, Lac De 
Frambou, encamped in the Island, the interior bands 
proposed to play against the Lake Indians. As it would 
be thought a cowardly act to refuse, the Lake Indians 
were ready at an early hour the next day, when about 
two hundred and fifty of the best and swiftest feet as- 
sembled on a level green, opposite the mansion house 
of the Rev. Mr. Hall. 

On our side was a thicket of thorns ; on the other 
the lake shore, with a sandy beach of half a mile. Eve- 
ry kind of business was suspended, not only by the In- 
dians, but by the whites of all classes. 

There were but two rivals in this group of players. 
One of these was a small man from Cedar Lake, on the 
Chippeway river, whose name was " Nai-nah-aun-gaihJ'' 
(adjusted feathers,) who admitted no rival in bravery, 
'"daring, or adventure, making the contest more inter- 
esting. 

Tht name of the other competitor was " Mah-kooJiceP 
(yt)uif bear,) of the shore bands. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION". 53 

The first, as I said before, was a small man. His 
body was a model for sculpture ; well proportioned. His 
hands and feet tapered with all the grace and delicacy 
of a lady's. His long black hair flowed carelessly upon 
his shoulders. On the top of his raven locks waved in 
profusion seventeen signals (with their pointed fingers) 
of the feathers of that rare bud, the western Eagle, be- 
ing the number of the enemy he had taken with his 
own hand. A Roman nose with a classic lip, which 
wore at all times a pleasing smile. Such was Nai-nah- 
aun-gaib. That day he had not the appearance of 
having used paint of any kind. Before and after the 
play I counted five bullet marks around his breast. — 
Three had passed through ; two were yet in his body. 
Besides these, there were innumerable marks of small- 
shot upon his shoulders, and the graze of a bullet on 
his temple. 

His rival on this occasion was a tall muscular man. 
His person was formed with perfect symmetry. He walk- 
ed with ease and grace. On his arms were bracelets 
composed of the claws of grizzly bears. He had been 
in the field of battle but five times ; yet on his head 
were three signals of trophies. 

The parties passed to the field ; a beautiful green, as 
even as a floor. Here they exhibited all the agility 



64 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

and graceful motions. The one was as stately as the 
proud Elk of the plains ; while the other possessed all 
the gracefulness of the Antelope of the western moun- 
tains. 

Shout after shout arose from each party, and from 
the crowds of spectators. "Yah-hah — yah-hah," were 
all the words that could be distinguished. After a short 
contest the Antelope struck the post, and at that mo- 
ment the applause was absolutely deafening. Thus 
ended the first day of the play, which was continued 
for some length of time. 

After this day's game was over, the two champions 
met and indulged in a sort of personal encoimter with 
the ball. This they continued a short time, then 
parted company, in good humor, and mingled with the 
crowd. 

The Moccasm play is simple, and can be played by 
two or three. Three moccasins are used for the purpose 
of hiding the bullets which are employed in the game. 
So deeply interesting does this play sometimes become, 
that an Indian will stake first his gun ; next his steel- 
traps ; then his implements of war ; then his clothing ; 
and lastly, his tobacco and pipe, leaving him, as we 
say, " Nah-hafi-wan-i/aJi-ze-i/aid ;" a piece of cloth with 
a string aroung his waist. 



THE 0JII3WAY XATION. fyf^ 

The "Tossing Play" is a game seldom seen among 
the whites. It is played in the wigwam. There is 
used in it an oblong knot, made of cedar boughs, of 
length, say about seven inches. On the top is fastened 
a string, about fifteen inches long, by which the knot 
is swung. On the other end of this string is another 
stick, two and a half inches long, and sharply pointed. 
This is held in the hand, and if the player can hit the 
large stick every time it falls on the sharp one he wins. 

'• Bone Play," is another in-door amusement, so call- 
ed, because the articles used are made of the hoof-joint 
Dones of the deer. The ends are hollowed out, and 
from three to ten are strung together. In playing it 
they use the same kind of sharp stick, the end of which 
is thrown into the bones. 

Doubtless the most interesting of all games is the 
" Maiden's Ball Play," in the Ojibway language, Pah- 
j)ah-se Kali-way. 

The majority of those who take part in this play are 
young damsels, though married women are not excluded. 
The ball is made of two deer skin bags, each about five 
inches long and one in diameter. These are so fastened 
together as to oe at a distance of seven inches each from 
the other. It is thrown with a stick five feet lon2:. 

This play is practiced in suiPxiner beneath the shade 



Bij TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

of wide-spreading trees, beneath which each strives to 
find their homes, tahwin, and to run home with it. These 
having been appointed in the morning, the yomig Avomen 
of the village decorate themselves for the day by paint- 
ing their cheeks with vermillion, (how civilized, eh ?) 
and disrobe themselves of as much unnecessary clothing 
as possible, braiding their hair with colored feathers, 
which hang profusely down to the feet. 

At the set time the whole village assemble, and the 
young men, whose loved ones are seen in the crowd, 
twist and turn to send sly glances to them, and receive 
their bright smiles in return. 

The same confusion exists as in the game of ball 
played by the men. Crowds rush to a given point as 
the ball is sent flying through the air. None stop to 
narrate the accidents that befal them, though they tum- 
ble about to their no little discomfiture ; they rise mak- 
ing a loud noise, something between a laugh and a cry, 
some limping behind the others, as the women shout. 
" Am goo'^ is heard sounding like the notes of a dove, of 
which it is no bad imitation. Worked garters, mocca- 
sins, leggins and vermillion are generally the articles at 
stake. Sometimes the Chief of the village sends a par- 
cel before they commence, the contents of which are to 
be distributed among tho maidens when the play is over 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 57 

I remember that some winters before the teachers from 
.he pale faces came to the lodge of my father, my mo- 
ther was very sick. Many thought she would not re- 
•jover her health. At this critical juncture, she told my 
father that it was her wish to see the "Maiden's Ball 
Play," and gave as a reason for her request that were 
she to see the girls at play, it would so enliven her 
spirits with the reminiscences of early days as to tend 
to her recovery. 

Our family then resided at the upper end of Belmoimt 
Lake, above Crow River. The next day, at early dawn, 
the crier of my father was sent around to inform the vil- 
lage damsels that the Ball Game was to be played at 
the request of the Chiefs wife. 

Two large spruce trees were transplanted from the 
woods, to holes in the ice ; and in the afternoon the peo- 
ple from the villages were on the shore of the Lake. — 
Among them was my mother, wrapt up in furs and 
blankets to protect her from the cold. There was just 
enough snow upon the ground to make the footing very 
imcertain. I scarcely recollect any thing equal to the 
sport of that day. The crowds would fall and roll 
about, some laughing most heartily at themselves and 
at the distorted countenances of their companions,whose 
pain could not be concealed. When it was over, thoy 



58 TKAJ)1TI0NAL HISTORY OF 

all Stood ill a circle, and received the rewards allotted 
to each, consisting of beads, ribbons, scarlet cloths, &c. 
In a few moments more I heard them in their wigwams 
jesting and laughing at their day's sport. 

Jumping is an exercise in which my countrymen have 
always engaged with considerable interest. Trials are 
made of jumping over a raised stick, or in the sand. — 
This sport, as well as the use of the bow and arrow, 
young women are prohibited from engaging in. 

Foot Racing is much practiced, mostly however by 
the young people. Thus in early life they acquire an 
elasticity of limb as well as health of body, which are 
of priceless value to them in subsequent years. 

The first mortification my pride ever received was on 
a certain occasion when I engaged in one of these races 
in the presence of a crowd of warriors. The prize was 
a piece of scarlet cloth. As I reached forth my hand 
to grasp the prize, a rope that lay hid in the grass upset 
me so completely, that I turned half a dozen sommersets 
and finally tumbled into a pool of water. When I got 
out I had the extreme pleasure of seeing my rival take 
the cloth, and of hearing him brag that he had actually 
beaten the Chiefs son. I wiped my drenched head as 
best I could, and my eyes of the dirt which adhered to 
them with all the tenacity of a leach, amid the shouts 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 59 

of laughter which was all the consolation I received in 
my misfortime. Since then I have walked seventy-five 
miles a day in the spring of the year, so that I can boast 
of this, if not of my first pedestrian feat. 

I need not say in concluding this chapter, what every 
one probably knows, that the plays and exercises of the 
Indians have contributed much towards the formation 
and presei-vation of that noble, erect, and manly figure 
for which they are so remarkable. 

Growing up in the daily practice of these has been 
and is now a sure preventive of disease. Not until re- 
cently has the rude and brutish system of wrestling been 
in vogue among them. 

The law of the Nation, like that of ancient Greece, 
has been enacted with a view to the health of its sub- 
jects. It obliged the people to engage in these exercises 
that they might inherit strong constitutions, and be pre- 
pared for the cold storms, and the piercing blasts that 
sweep around the lake shores. 

The mildness added to the coldness of the climate 
conduce to the expansion of the ingenuity of my people. 
The old saying, " Necessity is the mother of invention," 
finds a verification in them. Did they possess the ad- 
vantages of education possessed by the whites, many a 
bright star would shine forth in their ranks to bless and 



OQ TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

improve mankind. What tliey want is education. — 
They have mind, but it requires culture. 

A sliort time since, while on a steamboat on the wa- 
ters of the upper Mississippi, a gentleman speaking of 
the Chippeway's, said that they were a manly, noble 
race, that their motto seemed to be, " Suffering before 
treachery — death before dishonor." It was gratifying 
to my national pride to hear such an assertion made by 
an enUghtened American. 



CHAPTER V. 

THEIR WARS WITH THE SIOUXS. 

" 'Twas blow for blow, disputing inch by inch, 
For one would not retreat, nor t'other flinch." 

For centuries have the Ojibways and Siouxs been at 
enmity with each other. Cessation of hostihties for a 
few years has only served to strengthen for renewed 
conflict. These wars first originated, as I have before 
stated, in the question of the right of occupancy of the 
fisheries at the upper end of Lake Superior, and the 
right to the game of the adjacent woods. Subsequently 
they were carried on for conquest, imtil at length re- 
venge has been the cry of both parties. 

The waters of Menesotah have been crimsoned with 
the blood of both nations, and the upper Mississippi has 
witnessed their unrewarded contest ; and their shouts 
and groans have alike resounded among the mountain 
passes, and echoed from cliff to cliff on the rock-walled 
shore. 



62 JKADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

The rivers which flow into the Mississippi have float- 
ed hundreds of the canoes of the Ojibways, fi-eighted 
with resolute warriors against the Siouxs. While the 
Siouxs have passed up the same streams, and finding 
the smoke of the " Ah-ah-to-icon^^ rising from the wig- 
wam, have suddenly startled them witli their war-cry. 
The heights of Lake Superior have beeji used as towers 
by the Siouxs, from which to watch the sky across the 
Lake, while the barrier ridges of the North were used 
by the Ojibways for the same purpose. Thus Nature 
furnished her children with watch-towers and fortresses. 

The quarrels have been kept alive, and the war-fires 
fanned by the songs of each nation. As soon as child- 
ren were old enough to handle a bow and arrow, repre- 
sentations of the enemy were made, and the youngsters 
taught to shoot at them, for exercise and practice. The 
old men narrated to them deeds of bravery, and tluis 
were they inspired with a desire to grow up, and when 
men, act like their fathers, and scout the wide forests 
for each other. Even the mothers have taught their 
offspring, before they leave their breast, to hate their 
enemies. The Siouxs have, in some instances, acknow- 
ledged that our forefathers drove them from the North 
West of St. Paul, a lake they call ^^E-sahyah-mah-da^^ 
and tlie upper part of Leach Lake. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION". 63 

Several years ago, while strolling hy the Chippeway 
River, with one of the most intelligent Indian Chiefs, 
whose name was " Moose Tail," he pointed out to me 
numerous battle-grounds of days past, and all day 
sketched to me in his own graphic language the con- 
flicts that had occurred upon them. ( 

I counted twenty-nine battle-grounds on the shores of 
the Menomenee river, along which is a small branch of 
the Chippeway, on the western side, where trees were 
notched according to the number of warriors who fell. 
The border of the St. Croix contains more, and the upper 
Mississippi can furnish traditional records of battles at 
every mile of its course. 

Above the Falls of St. Anthony, just above the "great 
bend," one of the deadliest battles was fought ; and an- 
other near the mouth of the Chippeway. 

The Chippeways have gone to war in bands of from 
two to five, while the Siouxs, in nearly every instance, 
have had as many hundreds. 

Of the recent war, an account of which has been pub- 
lished, on Lake St. Croix and Rum River, it is only 
necessary to repeat what others have said, that it was 
brought on by the treachery and cruelty of those in 
whose power it was to have prevented the sad occur- 
rence. I was on the battle-field of Lake St. Croix soon 



64 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

after the conflict, and saw the remains of the slaugh- 
tered Chippeways scattered in all directions. The 
marks of bullets were upon all the trees, and the shrub- 
very was all trodden down. Some of the dead were 
suspended upon the branches of the trees. The Siouxs 
may have killed a large number of Chippeways, but the 
warfare was not an honorable one. The day previous, 
a pipe of peace was received from the Sioux Nation by 
the Ojibways, who had a desire for peace. 

The pipe was expected that day, and was smoked in 
good faith, but the next day the Siouxs followed the 
Ojibways up the river, then followed those of St. Croix. 
The day following they availed themselves of every 
advantage, and killed over one hundred Chippeways 
and upwards of ninety Siouxs. Since this conflict, 
many Americans have settled among them, whose pre- 
sence has in a great degree prevented a repetition of the 
same disastrous scenes. 

It is by the good influence of the whites- that they 
will eventually abandon their war life, and betake them- 
selves to the employments of peace. I was glad, during 
my short stay at Minisota, to see the beneficial results 
of Gov. Ramsay's efforts among the Indians. They 
must be induced to give up war and petty strifes before 
they can be benefitted, morally or physically. 



THE O.TIBWAY NATION. 65 

I cannot close this chapter without giving my readers 
an account of the wars I have refen-ed to. It is Avritten 
by WiUiam Warren, a writer in the " Minisota Pioneer." 
He has made himself well acquainted with the histoiy 
of the OjibwaySj and is himsek* by birth, partly, one of 
the Nation. Writing from Crow Wing River he says : 

" A party of one hundred and fifty once laid an am- 
buscade at the extreme point of ^haguhioaumik. The 
Ojibway lads, crossing over early in the morning to kill 
ducks, were set upon, but the point being well adapted 
to defence by numerous sand hills, they fought till the 
village opposite being alarmed, the warriors began to 
swarm forth ; and crossing over, landed a mile below 
the extreme point, cutting the Siouxs entirely off from 
escape ; all were killed but two, who jumped into the 
lake, and were never heard of or seen after. The bones 
of the slain warriors are still visible in particles,through- 
out the entire point. 

The Chippeways tell of a large war party that was 
raised to march against the then Sioux village of Sandy 
Lake The party was so numerous, that the string of 
warriors reached a great distance as they marched in 
single file, against the devoted village ; which was 
taken after a bloody slaughter. This event happened 
or took place, about one hundred and twenty years ago 



66 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

Tlie leader's name was Bauswush, grand-father of the 
present Chief of Sandy Lake, now aged about sixty 
years. The party started from Fond dti Lac. 

Some years after Sandy Lake had been taken by this 
chiefj sixty Ojib way warriors started down the Mississippi 
on a war party. At the confluence of the Crow Wing and 
Mississippi rivers, they found on their way back, traces 
of a large Sioux war party that had gone up, and pro- 
bably killed their defenceless wives and children. Toe 
late to arrive to their rescue by the signs left, they dug 
holes on the bank of the river, and laid an ambuscade 
for their enemies. The Sioux soon came floating down, 
singing songs of triumph and beating the drum. Their 
canoes were laden with prisoners, and the scalps of the 
slain dangled on poles erected in them. The Siouxs 
numbered fliree hundred; the party in ambush, but 
sixty. But when they recognized wives and children 
as prisoners, and beheld the bleeding scalps of their re- 
latives, the blood boiled in their veins, and, in perfect 
desperation, they sounded the war-whoop and discharged 
a flight of arrows on their triumphant and confident 
enemies. 

Many canoes were upset, and a few prisoners swam 
ashore at the first surprise ; but the Siouxs rallying, soon 
efl^jcted a landing, and tying their remaining prisonei-s 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 67 

to trees, a regular Indian fight commenced. When 
arrows and anunmiition had failed, they dug them' hid- 
ing holes close to one another, and pelted each other 
with stones. The bravest fonght hand to hand with 
knives and clubs. This fight lasted three days, till at 
last, the Siouxs retreated, leaving many dead, and most 
of them prisoners. The Ojibways, satisfied with their 
revenge, returned to their desolated village. 

The marks of this battle and the hiding holes on the 
bank are still visible, within a few rods from where I 
am writing. 

The Siouxs and Ojibways have met three different 
times at the confluence of these rivers. The village of 
Sandy Lake, since the Ojibways have resided there, has 
twice been nearly depopulated ; once as I have just re- 
lated, and another time, this band was attacked at Cross 
Lake, forty miles north of Crow Wing, while in their 
spring encampment, and all killed and taken prisoners 
but seven men, fom women and three children ; this 
event occurred about fifty years ago ; and some men 
are living, who were at that time taken prisoners by the 
Siouxs, and afterwards returned. 

Many battles occurred about Leech Lake and Red 
Lake of the North. The whole of that region between 
the Crow Wing and British line, has been conquered 



68 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

fiom the Sionxs. Many engageiiients and massacres 
took place on the St. Croix and Chippeway rivers. Two 
considerable fights occurred at Elk river, emptying in 
the Mississippi at a place called to this day by the In- 
dians, ' the battle-ground.' 

The marks of these battles are still visible ; at the 
last, was killed a renowned war chief of the OjibwayS^ 
who was, in his time, the terror of the Siouxs ; and died 
much regretted by his tribe. The name of this chiet 
was Ke-die-wauh-e-shash ; Big Martin. The Ojibways 
of this district, often speak of him as the one, whose 
valor and prowess conduced to drive their enemies from 
the country. Many exploits are told of him, and he 
died covered with scars received in a hundred fights. 

About forty years ago, a party of two hundred warriors 
under Flat Mouth, Chief of Leech Lake, fell on a camp 
of Siouxs at Long Prairie, numbering forty lodges ; all 
weie killed but six men of the Siouxs. The Ojibways 
captured many horses, but being unable to manage 
them, killed them ; and the bones of man and horse are 
still bleaching on the plain. 

About the same time, the Black Duck, of Red Lake, 
was surrounded after destroying a large camp of Siouxs, 
and he, with forty braves, killed to a man, on the far 
western plains. He was a renowned warrior and a 



'JMIK UJIBWAV NATION. 69 

brave man. It is unnecessary to mention their diiier- 
ent hostile meetings of late years ; for the past ten 
years, not less than four hundred Ojibways have been 
killed in this war, and we can judge by this, what a 
sacrifice of life there has been for the past two centuries. 

As many fights, surprises, massacres and single ex- 
ploits can be told of this endless feud as would fill a 
book ; all through the country, from Selkirk's Settlement 
to Wisconsin River south, and from Lake Superior to 
the Mississippi, spots are shown where the blood of 
these two tribes has been freely spilt. Even at this day, 
in spite of the white man's interference, it is no strange 
thing to hear of surprises and murders on either side, 
and to see a warrior with his head stuck full of eagles' 
plumes, denoting the number of enemies he has killed 
in his time. 

One hundred years ago, the Ojibways were hemmed 
in along the shores of Lake Superior ; the war path of 
their enemies terminated at many of their lake shore 
villages. But now they are masters of all the country 
to the Mississippi ; and had it not been for the partition 
of lands among the Indian tribes, by the United States, 
Hole in the day, their late noted war chief, used often 
to confidently affirm that he would have made his vil- 
lage at St. Peters, and the hunting grounds of his young 



70 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

men would have extended far into the western plains of 
the Sioiixs. All this proves much for their prowess in 
war ; hut they lay the main cause of their success to 
their first intercourse with whites ; they became pos- 
sessed of fire arms long before their enemies, and made 
good use of them." 

The continuation of these wars, up the first of April, 
1850j as given by the Minesota Chronicle, is here 
related : — 

" Our community has just been startled with the in- 
telligence of another of those sanguine scenes so common 
in the annals of the two powerful tribes of the North- 
west — the Siouxs and the Chippewas. On Wednesday 
morning last, about sunrise, a war party of Siouxs from 
the village of Little Crow and Red Wing, surprised a 
small encampment of Chippewas, on Apple River, Wis- 
consin, and killed and scalped fourteen of them, with- 
out loss or injury to the attacking party. They also 
took one boy prisoner. Few men were with the party 
of Chippewas — it being mostly composed of women and 
children, engaged in making sugar. The fourteen kill- 
ed comprised three men, three nearly grown boys, six 
females, women and children, and two male children. 
The attack was upon ground heretofore ceded by the 
Siouxs to the Government, but upon which, by treaty 



TUi: OJIBWAY NATION. 71 

Stipulation, they still have the privilege of hunting. The 
place is 20 or 25 miles north-east of Stillwater. 

On Thursday, the Sioux warriors appeared in the 
streets of Stillwater, and went through the scalp dance, 
in celebration of their victory — forming a circle round 
the Chippewa boy — their prisoner — and occasionally 
striking him on the face with their reeking trophies. — 
The boy, we understand, has already been adopted into 
one of the families at Little Crow Village. 

It is with pain we record the occurrence of a scene so 
truly revolting to the better feelings of humanity. This 
aggression of the Siouxs will doubtless lead to retalia- 
tion on the part of the Chippewas ; and we may expect 
to hear of more bloodshed, unless the civil and military 
authorities succeed in putting a stop to it. This can 
hardly be expected with the present meagre force on our 
frontiers. The murder of the Chippewa on Crow River 
by the Siouxs a few weeks ago, (who was the son of the 
Chief White Fisher) had caused much revengeful feel- 
ing to break out anew among that tribe, previous to the 
occurrence we now relate. 

It is proper to remark, that the better disposed men 
among the Siouxs entirely disapprove of this renewal 
of their old feud against the Chippewas. The leader of 
the party in this tragedy is a graceless scamp, who last 



tZ TliK UJinWAV NAT [ON. 

fall scalped liis own wife. Ho was arrested for the act; 
and confined in tlic prison at Fort Snelling for several 
weeks. Having sigiied the temperance pledge, and 
promised a reform for the future, he was finally i^leased. 
It were hotter had he heen kept tliere till this time. It 
is said the main reason that induced liim to lead his 
comrades to slay the defenceless Chippewas, was to 
wipe oif the disgrace of his former cruelty to his own 
family, and the pimishment which followed it. Such 
are the Indian's ideas of honor ! 

Measures will be taken by Gov. Ramsey to bring the 
offenders connected with this outrage to justice. The 
Chippewa boy will be sent back to his people as soon 
as he can be reclaimed from the Siouxs." 



CHAPTER VI. 

THE WAR BETV/EEN THE IROaUlS AND WESTERN 

HURONS, TERMINATING IN THE WARS BETWEEN 

THE OJIBWAYS & IROaUlS IN CANADA WEST. 

" The death shot hissing from afar, 
The shock, the shout, the groan of war." 

More than two hundred winters have clothed the 
mountains of the North with snow, which as many 
summer suns have meked, since the battle shout of the 
Hurons, in their once happy and peaceful homes, died 
away, and the Iroquois shouted their note of triumph. 

Long and bloody had been the struggle between the 
Hurons and Iroquois when they were heard of by Cham- 
plain in the year 1608. The one nation occupied the 
whole tract of land about the three lakes Ontario, Erie, 
and that which still bears the name of the Nation. 

They formed a confederation of live Nations, as did 
their brethren the Iroquois, who occupied at ihat time 



74 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

the principal part of what is now the State of New- York 
Few Indian wars have been more sanguiimrj'- than those 
between the Hurons and the Iroquois. The forces on 
each side were equal, and from childhood they had 
gradually acquired great expertness in the use of arms, 
the bow and the arrow : both were innured to climate 
and fatigue. The whole Huron countiy was kept in 
constant commotion, for the Hurons had made depreda- 
tions upon the Algonquin tribes in the South, North, 
and West. 

When they fell out with their own brethren, the war 
became a series of sanguinary single combats. The 
hands of friends become those of enemies, sending forth 
a declaration of war from the Hurons upon their allies, 
who had assisted against the Algonquin tribes, and 
upon whose children they had committed most barba- 
rous acts — acts which could not be forgotten. 

The Ottaways, Ojibways and Nenomenees, turned a 
deaf ear to their cries, and listened not when they came 
and related their misfortunes. It was heart-rending to 
see the Huron warrior suppressing his sobs and tears — • 
and many a warrior shouted vengeance on the Hurons 
with whom they had till then been on peaceable terms. 
They had not forgotten their former treaties, or that 
their faith in the sacredness of them, confirmed by the 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 75 

pipe of peace, had been violated. The aUies of the 
Ojibways had been trifled with ; they must now re- 
ceive the reward of their perfidy, for the frown of that 
Monedoo before whom they had consented to smoke the 
pipe of peace, rested on them. 

The struggle went on — each alternately rent the skies 
with shouts of victory, which were but momentary. — 
The wails of the wounded and suffering were heard on 
the shores of the broad Niagara, and on the banks of 
the St. Lawrence. The Hurons had penetrated to the 
North, along the shores of Mah ah-moo-see-be (Ottaway 
river.) Their canoes floated by the banks of the On- 
tario, Erie and Huron. The inland seas in the northern 
part of the peninsula were thronged by them. The 
rivers, mountains, and vallies were all theirs. In such a 
delightful country were their game and wigwams, and it 
was for these they fought with a desperation seldom 
equalled, never excelled — till conquered by their own 
brethren, they yielded what they had so bravely strug- 
gled to retain. Since then, tradition informs us, they 
were called " the Elder Brothers," on account of theij 
conquest of the Hurons. The dispersion which toot 
place in the year 1648, gave the victors possession of 
all (now) Canada West. 

The Iroquois overcame their brethren soon after the 



76 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

introduction of European fire arms, and it was the dread 
of these weapons which in part induced them to seek 
sheher amid the tribes on the south-west shores of Lake 
Huron. Tlie first Nation fled to the South of Lake 
Huron, about Saganaw — subsequently it moved further 
South on the St. Clair. The second Nation went to 
the North-west, at the foot of the great lake called 
Kechegiim, now called Lake Superior. Of the third, 
a great nmnber were adopted by their conquerors 
in perfect amity. The remaining two Nations joined 
with western tribes, and in the course of time have 
nearly lost their nationality. 

The exultation of the Iroquois was almost beyond 
bounds. They pursued their retreating brethren over 
the St. Clair, and along the Northern shores of Lake 
Huron. They were the possessors of the whole terri- 
tory; the valley of the Ottawa yielded them their 
game, which a few years before was the right and sup- 
port of their exiled brethren. 

Dejected, disheartened, the Hurons presented them- 
selves at the doors of the Great Council Wigwams of 
different Nations, whom they had made enemies by their 
former repeated depredations, but rather than submit to 
be led by their own -brethren, as a conquered race 
throughout their former possessions, those who went to 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 77 

the north-west called a council among themselves, in 
which it was determined upon what should be done. 

This council, according to ancient tradition, must 
have been held at the outlet of French River, and on 
the Northern shore of Lake Huron. 

The Hurons assembled themselves in council, and in 
the course of their deliberations, they desired several of 
their Chiefs to visit the great Ojibway family on Lake 
Superior, and see whether that people would forgive 
them the wrongs they had done them, and admit them 
as their allies. 

The war canoes of the Hurons were manned and 
paddled on the bosom of the great lake in search of a 
place of refuge. They arrived quite late in the autumn 
at the eastermost village of the Ojibways, a situation 
they named Pe-qiiak-qna-wah-ming, (Round Point,) 
near the fork of a bay called by the French Aunce Bay, 
now known as Ke-wa-o-non. 

It was the policy of the Hurons to present themselves 
in a pitiable condition before their superiors, the Ojibway 
family of the great lake, that they might the more easily 
obtain their favor and sympathy. Tradition informs 
us that they came and presented themselves before the 
Council-door of that Nation, and begged them to spare 
their own children's lives. They had painted their 



78 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

faces black, rent their clothes, and with emaciated and 
haggard frames, came to implore their aid. They nar- 
rated their misfortunes, to incite the pity of the nation. 
The Ojibways saw them, and yielded to pity and com- 
passion. The Huron s were received as friends ; they 
overcame the war spirit of the Ojibways, who kindly 
seated them at their side. 

The Huron Chief detailed the barbarous acts of their 
brethren, and narrated in glowing language their cruelty. 
That their allies had driven them from their lands ; that 
their children had been thrown on the blaze of their own 
fires in their own wigwams, and the wigwams beneath 
which they had resided for years, reduced to ashes ! — 
Some were compelled to drink the blood of their own 
children, while those who were carried away into their 
own brethren's country, were denied food, and were 
ofiered their own children's flesh in its stead. 

That country was covered with blood, and with the 
mangled remains of their fathers who had fought for 
their lands. The exulting cry of the Oneida, mingled 
with the shouts of the Mohawk, was heard in the land 
where once they lived. They said that the graves of 
their people were desecrated, and that the bodies of 
many of their women and children lay unburied on 
their battle-fields, from the waters of Erie to the valley 



THE OJIHWxW NATION. 79 

of Ottawa in the North. Tha Hurons related the 
account of their children's massacre with tears and sobs, 
and by such means moved those who had been their 
enemies to pity them, and kindled in the hearts of some 
a feeling of revenge upon the Iroquois, who had so reck- 
lessly overstepped the barrier which Nature hath raised 
in the hearts of all men. If thus the fugitive Hurons 
had gone to solicit aid in the midst of the Ojibway 
comitry, they could have aroused the bravery of the 
Nation to have gone in arms in their favor, and carried 
on war still longer. 

At this time there lived the greatest of renowned war- 
riors, Wah -boo-geeg, who dwelt at Pequakqua-wah-ming. 
His name has been handed down from generation to 
generation, and his bravery and fame been envied by 
all young warriors. 

It is said that this Wah-hoo-geeg arose in the council 
with a club in his hand, and remembering the Hurons 
and their many barbarous acts, shook the war club over 
their heads, and said that it was not fear which had led 
them to give them such a reception, but it was pity for 
their innocent children, that induced them to open their 
arms and receive them. He told them that hencefor- 
ward none should molest — that their children and the 
children of his own people should sport together — that 



80 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

the war club of the Qfibways should protect them — and 
that they were as niunerous as the leaves of the forest 
trees, towards the setting sun. 

A situation was assigned them near by where they 
and their children could reside, and be near the villages 
of the Ojibways. It was adjacent to a bay about fifteen 
miles eastward of .Alluce Bay, and a river whose 
name has been Huron from that day to this. 

I have been thus particular in naming the events 
which led to the subjugation of the Huron Iroquois by 
their own brethren, the Iroquois of the East, that the 
reader may be informed of the chief cause of their sub- 
sequent success, which was the fact of their having 
enlisted in their favor the Ojibway Nation. The West- 
ern Iroquois, finding a refuge in the midst of Western 
tribes, endeavored to stop the commerce which had been 
commenced by the great Ottawa river, and profitably 
carried on between the French and the Ojibways of 
Lake Superior. This rash attempt on the part of the 
Iroquois brought on the disastrous war between that 
Nation and the Ojibways, an account of which :s ro* 
served for the next chapter. 



CHAPTER VII. 

THE WAR BETWEEN THE OJIBWAYS AND THE 
EASTERN IROaUOIS. 

" In peace there's nothing so becomes a man 
As modest stillness and humanity ; 
But when the blast of war blows in his ears, 
Then imitates the action of the tiger." 

Before the dispersion of the Hurons no difRcuUy exist- 
ed between the Ojibways and the Eastern Iroquois, 
but the Western Hurons often waylaid the hunters ot 
the Ojibway Nation, and continuing so to do eventually 
aroused the war-whoop of revenge far and near. 

After the year 1608, Champlain traders began to caiTy 

on their commercial transactions on the waters of the 

Mahahmoo Sebee, (Trading River,) which introduced 

among the Indians fire-arms woollen-goods, and steel 

for weapons of war. 

The next year (1609,) Champlain made a treaty with 
6 



0» TJiADiriuNAL HISTUKY OF 

the Northern tribes, an examination of which will 
show in what manner they were to aid them in 
their wars with the Iroquois. History exhibits the 
disastrous results following this connection with 
them. 

During a period of thirty-five years the Ojibways on 
Lake Superior, had been obtaining fire-arms from the 
French of Quebec. They carried on a peaceful traffic 
with the French of Lake Superior until the year 1652, 
when the troubles between the Iroquoig and the Ojib- 
ways commenced. The commerce which for thirty-five 
years had received no interruption, either from quarrels 
without or dissentions within their midst, was attacked 
by the Iroquois, who barbarously plundered and mas- 
sacred the Ojibway warriors, who had been out for Mon- 
treal to barter furs for domestic goods, as also for wea- 
pons of war and fire-water. At the entrance of French 
River, two of this company escaped from the Iroquois, 
and conveyed an accomit of the fate of their comrades 
to the Ojibways at Aunce Bay. This so incensed the 
Algonquin tribe that they sent the invaders a message 
to this eifect, that if they ever perpetrated the like again, 
they would send a few of their warriors in pursuit, to 
exterminate them. The proud Iroquois laughed in 
scorn at the threat of the Ojibways, and sent to learn 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 83 

whether the Ojibways mckided their women in their 
proposed extermination. 

A Comicil of Peace was caUed by the Ojibways, which 
was held, according to tradition, below Sault St. Marie, 
at a place called in the Algonquin tongne, Massessanga. 
This council received the deputies of the Iroquois, who 
concluded a treaty, which they secretly intended not to 
preserve. 

Dming the summer all lived in peace. They met as 
friends on the shores of the Huron, and as friends hunted 
in the valley of the Ottawa. 

A second offence was committed on the Ojibways, 
above the Falls, near where Bytown now stands, on the 
Ottawa River. The Iroquois fell upon a party of the 
Ojibways, who were hauling their canoes over the car- 
rying place. These they took from them, as also their 
" fire-water," which they had obtained from the French. 
About twenty were slain ; the remaining swam across 
the river before their enemies could reach them. Of 
these, two died on their way home, from hunger and 
exposure. The rest, three in number, only survived to 
reach the South shore of Lake Superior, and give infor- 
mation of the attack. The Ojibways were highly ex- 
asperated. They were excited to fury, and a desire for 
revenge reigned in every heart. 
F 



84 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

The Huroiis availed themselves of this favorable op- 
portunity to remind them that they had suffered like 
cruelties from their brethren. Another Council was to 
be called. The Chiefs of the Ojibways were to go to 
Nahtooway, Sahgeeny^ the principal village of the Iro- 
quois, on the eastermost shore of Lake Huron. 

They arrived during an Iroquois scalp dance of tri- 
umph. It was over the scalps of people of their own 
nation. For several days they knew not whether they 
would be massacred or allowed to return ; they could 
get no satisfaction. The sages of the Iroquois knowing 
however that their people had aggrieved the feelings of 
the Ojibways, wisely concluded to reflect seriously upon 
the importance of pressing peace with so powerful a 
Nation as the Ojibways were imiversally acknowledged 
to be. They met the Ojibway Chief in council, who 
demanded of them as many packs of furs as warriors 
they had slain, which the Iroquois Chiefs granted amid 
the manifest dissatisfaction of the people. 

The council agreed that the treaty should never be 
infringed upon, and that it should be held inviolate and 
permanent. It was a fan-, impartial, and open treaty, 
and it was distinctly understood that the first breach of 
it should be a signal for war between the offenders and 
the offended. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 85 

They scrutinized the features of one and another — 
shook hands, and bade each other farewell, — (a final 
farewell.) 

The Chiefs of the Ojibways returned to their own 
country. Trade was again prosecuted with renewed 
energy and enterprise, and several valuable loads of 
furs were sent to the whites of Montreal. No shock of 
discord was heard, — the shrill war-whoop was hushed. 
Peace dwelt among the mountains of the North. 

Without fear the Ojibway and Iroquois hunters met, 
and spent their evenings together, relating each his ad- 
ventures and exploits. The Ottawa river was thickly 
dotted with canoes heavfly freighted with furs from the 
North and West. Blankets were bought with these, 
and fire-water, which was carried to the extreme end of 
Lake Superior, and to its Northern shores. 

The Hurons became so forgetful of their late wars, 
that they even ventured to accompany the trading In- 
dians (now called Ottawas) down to Montreal, and for 
one year and a summer they suffered no molestation — 
all was quiet. The Iroquois saw that the French were 
more friendly to the Indians of Lake Superior than they 
were to them ; and that the Ojibways were a protection 
to those by whom they were formerly molested. 

The treaty had remained unbroken nearly three years 



S6 ruADi rioxAL history of 

when bands of the Iroquois waylaid the Ojibways 
siniu] taneously at various poin is on the Mah-ah-moo-sebee. 
The news of these unprovoked attacks reached the 
shores of Lake Superior, but as it was late in the fall, 
they'deemed it imprudent to proceed against the Iroquois, 
and delayed their expedition until the ensuing spring. • 

Runners were sent during the winter to the different 
allies of the Ojibways, the Sacs and Foxes, Menomones, 
Kinnestenoes, . Pottawatamies, and the Hurons of San- 
dusky, each of whom were informed of the movements 
of the great Ojibway family in the West. 

Strings of wampum were sent from village to village 
by fleet runners from the extreme end of Lake Superior 
to the South, far over the prairies of Illinois. Tlie bays 
of Michigan resounded with the war cry of the Sacs, 
while the Menomones trained their young warriors for 
the approaching conflict. 

The war dance became a constant exercise, and in 
fact, the chief amusement of the Indians. The Hurons 
excited the revengeful feelings of the Ojibways by tell- 
ing them of the outrages the Iroquois had committed on 
their children. They shook their war clubs towards 
the rising sun, and a signal was given that betokened a 
terrific onslaught. Their hunting grounds were aban- 
doned, and their women who had attended the corn- 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 87 

fields were obliged to fish during the summer, in ordei 
to obtain a subsistence. 

By previous arrangement, the warriors of the Nations 
were to meet below Sault St. Marie, at the first chang* 
ing of the flower moon (May). 

The time arrived. Wah-boo-jeeg's son mustered the 
war canoes before the point of Peguahquawom, near the 
outlet of a deep bay on the South shore of Lake Superior. 
When the voices of the war chiefs announced the time 
of preparation to an eager multitude, a deafening shout 
arose to heaven, and awoke the echoing spirit of the 
forest. The rattling of the mysterious Waskeinzke 
(Deer's Whoof), and the beating of the drum were 
heard. The tramp of the furious Ojibways and Hurons 
shook the earth as they danced around the blaze of 
their council fires. 

In the morning, at dawn, the war canoes from Shah- 
gahwahmik (the point) were in sight ; near Kewaowon 
two hundred of them approached ! 

The Sahsahquon (war cry) and song were heard in 
the distance from over the waters. Never had the wa- 
ters been agitated by so great a fleet of canoes. The 
muscular arm of the warriors propelled the canoes with 
rapid speed on their way. 

In former times the old Chief, Wah-boo-jeeg, led the 



bo TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

warrior bands in person, but being qnite aged, he com- 
mitted the charge to his son, Naiquod. The old Chief 
expressed his approbation of the expedition against tlie 
Iroquois, by standing near the edge of a rock which 
was partiaUy suspended over the waters — from which 
commanding position he addressed the warriors who 
were in their canoes ready to go eastward. 

I propose in the following chapter to give you the 
speech of Wah-boo-jeeg to the assembled warriors, and 
an accomit of those battles which terminated in the 
subjugation of the Eastern Iroquois, and of the places 
at which they were fought. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

In the. last chapter we left Wah-boo-jeeg standing 
upon an overhanging cliff. For a moment he gazed 
aroimd upon the war-clad throng in canoes before him, 
then spoke to them as follows : — 

" When I was young, the Nahtoowassee of the West 
was heard from hill to hill. They were as many as the 
forest trees, but because they had smoked the pipe of 
ueace when theh hearts were not right, the Monedoo they 
disobeyed, sent our fathers to drive them from our 
lands, near a lake in the West they called Esahyah- 
mahday (Knife Lake), and they fled West of the father 
of rivers to dwell in the habitations of strangers. I was 
the assistant of my father during these bloody wars. — 
Go, now, at the rising of the sun. The Iroquois have 
filled the land with blood, and the same Mofiedoo who 
was with me on the Western plains will be with you to 
prosper and preserve you." A shout arose. " Go," he 



90 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

added, " with your war clubs — make a straight path to 
the wigwam of the pale face, and demand the land of 
the weeping Huron. I will sit upon the edge of this 
rock, and await your return." 

The old man sat down, and the canoes moved East- 
ward, in search of the foe. The Western shore of 
Michigan was also thronged by the canoes of the Men- 
omonies, Pottawatamies, Sacks and Foxes, — the South- 
ern Hm'ons came with other tribes across the St. Clair, 
and overran the South. 

Tradition informs us that seven hmidred canoes met 
at Kewetawahonning, one party of whom was to take 
the route to Mahamooseebee, the second towards Wah- 
weyagahmah, (now Lake Simcoe). the third was to 
take the route towards the river St. Clair, and meet the 
Southern Hurons. I will here remark that they had 
several reasons for waging war against the Iroquois. — 
First, for having broke the last treaty of peace by the 
murder of some of their warriors ; second, to clear the 
way of trade between the Ojibways and the French, 
(the Iroquois then lived along the Ottawa river), and 
third, to regain the land of the Western Hurons, and, il 
possible, drive the Iroquois wholly from the peninsula. 

The warriors who took the Mahamooseebee, had 
several engagements with them, but outnumbering 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 91 

them, they easily routed the Iroquois. Those who had 
gone to tlie St. Clair had likewise a fierce battle at the 
mouth of a river called by the Algonquins, Sahgeeng, 
and afterwards being joined by the Southern Hurons, 
overran the whole of the South of the peninsula. 

The most bloody battles were fought on Lake Simcoe, 
at a place called Ramma, at Mud Lake, Pigeon Lake, 
and Rice Lake : the last that was fought took place at 
the mouth of the river Trent. 

Forty years had nearly elapsed since the Hurons had 
been routed, but they had not forgotten the land of their 
birth — the places that were once so dear to them. The 
thought of regaining their former possessions inspired 
them with a courage that faced every danger. They 
fought like tigers. 

The first battle between the Ojibways and the East- 
eiTi Iroquois or Mohawks, was fought at a place near 
where Orillea is now situated, about one-quarter of a 
mile Northward. The Mohawks collected in great 
numbers here, and awaited the attack of the Western 
Hiu'ons and Ojibways. They resisted stoutly for three 
days — at the close of which, tradition informs us, they 
sued for mercy, which was granted, and the few survi- 
vors were allowed to go to Lake Huron, where they re- 
mained during the rest of the war. 



92 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

The second battle of any account was fought at 
Pigeon Lake, where the Iroquois had made a strong 
fort, remains of which are to be seen at this day. At 
this place great numbers of the Ojibways were killed. 
For a time the result was doubtful, but finally the Ojib- 
ways took the fort by storm, and but few of the Iroquois 
were spared. 

The third battle was fought near Mud Lake, about 
twelve miles North of Peterboro. Not a male person 
was spared, and the next day another village that stood 
on the present site of Peterboro and Smithtown, was 
attacked, and an immense number slaughtered. 

I will not attempt to narrate the many barbarous acts 
which took place on both sides, for humanity shudders 
at the bare thought of them. They spared none. It is 
said that they fought the last few who resisted, on a 
shoal in the river with an'ows, strings and other mis- 
siles ; that their blood dyed the water, and their bodies 
filled the stream. 

From both banks of the river the wail of woe and 
grief arose from the orphan children, whose loud cries 
and sobs were heard far distant. Here side by side the 
hostile warriors rolled in blood and agony, while the 
eagles, buzzards, and crows, flying round and round, 
added their screech to the noise of the combatants, and 



THE UJIBWAY NATION. 93 



by their actions testified their joy that a day of general 
feasting had arrived. Their 



"Slaughter heaped on high its weltering ranks." 

Death made a throne of the bodies of the slain, and 
•arm in arm with his hand in hand, friend Despair as- 
cended and ruled the day. 

The fourth village which they attacked was at the 
mouth of the Otonabee, on Rice Lake, where several 
hmidreds were slain. The bodies were in two heaps : 
one of which was the slain of the Iroquois ; the other of 
the Ojibways. 

Panic-struck the Iroquois collected their remaining 
forces in Percy, now Lewis's Farm, where for two days 
and nights they fought like wild beasts. Their shrieks 
and shout^s were heard on each side of the river Trent, 
so madly did they rush upon destruction. 

Of this band of warriors, one alone was saved. The 
women and children were spared to wander in solitary 
anguish, and mourn jover husbands and fathers whose 
bones were before them, — sad memorials of desolating 
war. At this day arms of various descriptions are to 
be found, such as war-clubs, axes, spears, knives, arrow- 
heads and tomahawks scattered with human bones. 

The fifth and last battle was fought on an island 



94 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

near the mouth of the river Trent, where most of the 
canoes had collected. At early dawn the warriors 
landed, and with one wild, fierce rush, commenced their 
work of havoc and extermination. 

Yells and groans were heard on every side, — hand to 
hand they fought, and those who attempted to fly 
were pursued into the water and there slain and 
scalped. 

When the news of these victories reached the Mo- 
hawks, they were incredulous, but soon learned that 
the Iroquois were entirely broken up and the country 
subdued. 

The war-whoop of the trading Indians and tlfeir host 
abounded. Reveling and feasting celebrated the down- 
fall of the Iroquois. In vain the Iroquois, who remained, 
sent to the French, suing for peace. The petitions were 
not heeded, and they vainly attempted to regain by 
scattered skirmishes a foot-hold on the land they were 
destined soon after to abandon forever. 

They returned from Canada, amd their conquerors 
allotted them places of habitation. The Shawnees oc- 
cupied the Southern, and the Ottaways and Ojibways 
the Northern parts. 

Peace was then restored, and the confines of Niagara 
and St. Lawrence reaped its benefits. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 95 

This took place about 1666, and continued for six 
years, when the French luidertook to lay the founda- 
tion of a fort near the foot of Lake Ontario, called in 
the Algonquin language, Kah-tah-nah-queng, (Catara- 
que). 

Several attempts have since been made by the elder 
brethren to renew their vengeance against the French, 
Ottaways and Ojibways, also to regain their former 
possessions, but they weie unable to succeed, for the 
whole of the western tribes had combined against them, 
and they were utterly subdued by overpowering num- 
bers. 

Recently the Mohawks, a part of the Six Nations, 
have settled in Grand River, and others in Bay Quinty, 
back of Adolphustown, from the American side, they 
having been engaged with the British in the wars of 
that nation. 

It is somewhat remarkable that those who now 
live near Adolphustown, Canada West, still adhere to 
old customs and usages, though the Rev. Mr. Givins 
has done a great deal towards introducing among them 
the arts of civilized life. 

These nations used to send tlieir warriors on the wa- 
ters of the Sa-ga-naw of the north, Ottawa river, Lake 
Huron and Sandusky, away west to the prairies of Illi- 



96 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

nois and the waters of Green Bay, as also to the shores 
of Lake Superior. On the east to the White Mountains 
of Vermont. — down the Delaware river and the upper 
branches of the Ohio. 

1 Their war path was drenched with the blood of their 
enemies all around them. They were, in fact, the 
Turks of the American Forest. By degrees they have 
fallen before the rapidly increasing numbers of their 
enemies. What war has not done, strong drink has, 
mitil now they are a weak and puny race. 

The pale face says that there is a fate hanging ovei 
the Indian bent on his destruction. Preposterous ! — 
They give him liquors to destroy himself with, and then 
charge the great Good Spirit as the author of their mis- 
ery and mortality. 

The arm of the Iroquois warrior wields the war-club 
no more. A few of his children are now peacefully 
following the plough in Canada and in Western New- 
Yorjc, while others of them mingle with those tribes 
against whom the war-cry of their Nation was once 
raised. They now live in amity and peace, and hail 
the dawning of a better day. 



CHAPTER IX. 



THEIR LEGENDARY STORIES AND HISTORICAL 
TALES. 



Handed from ages down ; a nurse's tale, 
Whicli cilhdren open-eyed and mouthed devour, 
Aif3 thus as garrulous ignorance relates, 
We learn it and believe ," 

The Ojibways have a great number of legends, sto- 
nes, and historical tales, the relating and hearing of 
which, form a vast fmid of winter evening instruction 
and amusement. _ 

There is not a lake or mountain that has not connect- 
ed with it some story of delight or wonder, and nearly 
every beast and bird is the subject of the story-teller, 
being said to have transformed itself at some prior time 
into some mysterious formation — of men going to live 
in the stars, and of imaginary beings in the air, whoso 
rushing passage roars in the distant whirlwinds. 



98 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

I have known some Indians who would commence 
to narrate legends and stories in the month of October 
and not end until quite late in the spring, sometimes 
not till quite late in the month of May, and on every 
evening of this long term tell a new story. 

Some of these stories are most exciting, and so intense- 
ly interesting, that I have seen children during their 
relation, whose tears would flow quite plentifully, and 
their breasts heave with thoughts too big for utterance. 

Night after night for weeks have I sat and eagerly 
listened to these stories. The days following, the char- 
acters would haunt me at every step, and every moving 
leaf would seem to be a voice of a spirit. To those 
days I look back with pleasurable emotions. Many of 
these fanciful stories have been collected by H. R. 
Schoolcraft Esq. 

It is not my purpose to unnecessarily extend this 
work with a large number of these. I will, however, 
in this connection narrate a few, in order to give you 
some idea of the manner in which my people amuse 
themselves in their wigwams, and promise to send yon, 
at some future day, a good handful] from the forest. 

These legends have an important bearing on the 
character of the children of our Nation. The fire-blaze 
is endeared to them in after years by a thousand happy 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 99 

recollections. By mingling thus, social habits are form- 
ed and strengthened. When the horn- for tliis recrea- 
tion arrives, they lay down the bow and the arrow and 
joyously repair to the wigwam of the aged man of the 
village, who is always ready to accommodate the 
young. 

Legends are of three distinct classes, namely, the 
Amusing, the Historical, and the Moral. In the Fall 
we have one class, in the Winter another, and in the 
Spring a third. I can at present have only time and 
space to give specimens of the second of these. 



LEGEND FIRST. 

THE STAR AND THE LILY. 

An old chieftain sat in his wigwam quietly smoking 
his favorite pipe, when a crowd of Indian boys and girls 
suddenly entered, and with numerous offerings of to- 
bacco, begged him to tell them a story. Then the old 
man began : — 

'' There was once a time when this world was filled 

with happy people, when all nations were as one, and 

the crimson tide of war had not begun to roll. Plenty 

of game was in the forest and on the plains. None 
G 



100 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

were in want, for a full supply was at hand. Sickness 
was unknown. The beasts of the field were tame, they 
came and went at the bidding of man. One unending 
spring gave no place for winter — for its cold blasts or 
its unhealthy chills. Every tree and bush yielded 
fruit. 

Flowers carpeted the earth ; the air was laden with 
their fragrance, and redolent with the songs of married 
warblers, that flew from branch to branch, fearing none, 
for there were none to harm them. There were birds 
then of more beautiful song and plumage than now. 

It was at such a time, when earth was a paradise and 
man worthily its possessor, that the Indians were the 
lone inhabitants of the American wilderness. 

They nmnbered millions, and living as Nature de- 
signed them to live, enjoyed its many blessings. In- 
stead of amusements in close rooms, the sports of the 
fields were theirs. At night they met on the wide green 
fields. They watched the stars ; they loved to gaze at 
them, for they believed them to be the residences of the 
good who had been taken home by the Great Spirit. 

One night they saw one star that shone brighter than 
all others. Its location was far away in the South near 
a mountain peak. For many nights it was seen, till at 
length it was doubted by many that the star was as far 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 101 

distant in the Southern skies as it seemed to be. This 
doubt led to an examination, which proved the star to 
be only a short distance, and near the tops of some 
trees. 

A number of warriors were deputed to go and see 
what it was. They went, and on their return said it 
appeared strange and somewhat like a bird. A com- 
mittee of the wise men were called to inquire into, and 
if possible ascertain the meaning of the strange phe- 
nomena. 

They feared that it might be the omen of some disas- 
ter. Some thought it precursor of good, others of evil, 
and some supposed it to be the star spoken of by their 
forefathers, as the forerunner of a dreadful war. 

One moon had nearly gone by, and yet the mystery 
remained unsolved. 

One night a young warrior had a dream, in which a 
beautiful maiden came and st )od at his side, and thus 
addressed him : 

' Young brave ! channed v/ith the land of thy fore- 
fathers, its flowers, its birds, its rivers, its beautiful lakes, 
and its mountains clothed with green, I have left my 
sisters in yonder world to dwell among you. Young 
brave ! ask your wise and your great men where 
I can live and see the happy race continually ; 



102 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

ask them what form I shall assume in order to bo 

loved.' 

Thus discoursed the bright stranger. The young 

man awoke. On stepping out of his lodge he saw the 

star yet blazing in its accustomed place. 

At early dawn the Chief's crier was sent round the 
camp to call every warrior to the Council Lodge. When 
they had met, the young warrior related his dream. — 
They concluded that the star that had been seen in the 
South had fallen in love with mankind, and that it was 
desirous to dwell with them. 

The next night five tall, noble-looking, adventurous 
braves were sent to welcome the stranger to earth. — 
They went and presented to it a pipe of peace, filled 
with sweet scented herbs, and were rejoiced to find that 
it took it from them. As they returned to the village, 
the star with expanded wing followed, and hovered over 
their homes till the dawn of day. 

Again it came to the young man in a dream, and de- 
sired to know where it should live, and what form it 
should take. 

Places were named. On the top of giant trees, or in 
flowers. At length it was told to choose a place itself, 
and it did so. 

At first, it dwelt in the white rose of the mountains ; 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 103 

but there it was so buried tliat it could not be seen. It 
went to the prairie, but it feared the hoof of the buffalo. 
It next sought the rocky cliff, but there it was so high, 
that the children whom it loved most could not see it. 

' I know where I shall live,' said the bright fugitive, 
" where I can see the gliding canoe of the race I most 
admire. Children ! yes, they shall be my playmates, 
and 1 will kiss their brows when they slumber by the 
side of cool lakes. The nations shall love me wherever 
I am.' 

These words having been said, she alighted on the 
waters where she saw herself reflected. The next 
morning, thousands of white flowers were seen on the 
surface of the lakes, and the Indians gave them this 
name — ' Wah-be-gwon-nee,^ (White Lily.) Now," 
continued the old man, " this star lived in the Southern 
skies. Its brethren can be seen far ofl" in the cold North, 
hunting the great bear, v^^hilst its sisters watch her in 
the East and West. 

" Children ! when you see the lily on the waters, take 
it in your hands, and hold it to the skies, that it may be 
happy on earth as its two sisters, the morning and even- 
ing stars, are happy in heaven." 

While tears fell fast from the eyes of all, the old man 
laid down and was soon silent in sleep. 



104 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

Since that, I have often plucked the white hly, and 
garlanded it around my head — have dipped it in its 
watery bed — but never have I seen it without remem 
bering the legend of the descending star. 



LEGEND SECOND, 

HISTORICAL THE LONG CHASE. 

The Indian warrior of days long past, thought that 
distance should never be considered when he went forth 
to war, provided he was certain of winning the applause 
of his fellows. Fatigue and hunger were alike looked 
upon as minor matters, and were endured without a 
murmur. 

The long continued wars which once existed between 
the Ojibways and the Iroquois, gave rise to the follow- 
ing legend, which was originally related to me by an 
Ojibway Chief, whose name was Na-nah-boo-sho. 

A party of six Iroquois runners had been sent by their 
leading Chiefs from Ke-wa-we-won, on the Southern 
shore of Lake Superior, to examine the position of the 
Ojibways, who were supposed to be on the island called 
Moo-ne-qnah-na-kaung-ning. The spies having arrived 
opposite the island on which thoir enemies had encamp- 



THE OJIBWAY NATION-. 105 

ed, (which was about three miles from the main shore) 
built a war canoe with the bark of an elm tree, launched 
it at the hour of midnight, and having implored the god 
of war to smile upon them and keep the lake in peace, 
landed on the island, and were soon prowling through 
the village of the imconscious Ojibway. They were so 
cautious in all their movements, that their footsteps did 
not even awaken the sleeping dogs. 

It happened, however, that they were discovered, and 
that too by a young woman, who according to an an- 
cient custom was leading a solitary life previous to be- 
coming a mother. In her wakefulness, she saw them 
pass near her lodge, and heard them speak, yet could 
not understand their words, though she thought them 
to be of the Na-do-way tribe. 

When they had passed, she stole out of her own wig- 
wam to that of her aged grand-mother, to whom she re- 
lated what she had seen and heard. The aged woman 
only reprimanded her daughter for her imprudence and 
did not heed her words. 

" But, mother," replied the girl, " I speak the truth ; 
the dreaded Na-do-ways are in our village, and if tho 
warriors of the Buffalo race do not heed the story of a 
foolish girl, their women and their children must perish." 

The words of the girl were finally believed, and the 



lOG I'HADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

warriors of the Crane and Buffalo tribes prepared them- 
selves for a conflict. 

The war-whoop echoed to the sky — and the rattling 
of bows and arrows was heard in every part of the island. 
In about one hour the main shore was lined with about 
eight hundred canoes, the occupants of which were 
anxiously awaiting the appearance of the spies. These 
desperate men, however, had made up their Kand to ply 
their oars to the utmost, and as the day was breaking, 
they launched their canoes from a woody cove, shot 
round the island, and started in th*i direction of the 
Porcupine Moimtains, which w^ere about sixty miles 
distant. As soon as they came in sight of the Ojib- 
ways, the latter became quite frantic, and giving their 
accustomed yell, the whole multitude started after them 
as swift as the flight of birds. 

The waters of the mighty lake were without a ripple, 
other than that made by the swiftly gliding canoe, and 
the beautiful fish moved among their rocky haunts in 
perfect peace, unconscious of the chase above. 

The Iroquois were some two miles ahead, and while 
they strained every nerve for life, one voice rose high 
in the air, bearing an invocation to the spirits of their 
race for protection. In answer to their prayer, a thick 
fog fell upon the water and caused great confusion.— 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 107 

One of the Ojibway warriors laid down his paddle, 
seized his mysterious rattle (made of deer's hoof) and in 
a strange, wild song, implored the spirits of his race tc 
clear away the fog, that they might pursue their ene- 
mies. The burden of their song was — 

" Mon-e-doo ne bah bah me tah wah 
Ke shig ne bah bah me tah goon, 
Ne bee ne wah wah goom me goon, 
Ne ke che dah — awas, awas." 

Which may he translated as follows : — 

" Spirits ! whom we have always obeyed, 

Here cause the sky now to obey ; 
Place now the waters all in our power, 
We are warriors— away, away." 

As the last strain of music departed, the fog rolled 
away, and the Iroquois spies were seen hastening to the 
shore, near Montreal River. Then came the fog again 
and then departed, in answer to the conflicting prayers 
of the two nations. Long and exciting was the race. 
But the Great Spirit was the friend of the Ojibways — 
and just as the Iroquois were landing on the beach, four 
of them were pierced with arrows, and the remaining 
two taken prisoners. A council was then called for the 
pm-pose of determining what should be done with them, 



108 



TRADITION AT, HISTORY OF 



and it was determined that they should be tortured at 
the stake. They were, accordingly, fastened to a tree, 
and surrounded with wood, when just as the flaming 
torch was to be applied, an aged warrior stepped forth 
from the crowd of spectators, and thus addressed the 
assembly : — 

'•Why are you to destroy these men? They are 
brave warriors, but not more distinguished than we are. 
We can gain no benefit from their death. Why not let 
them live, that they may go and tell their people of our 
power, and that our warriors are as numerous as the 
stars of the Northern sky ?" 

The Council pondered upon the old man's advice, 
and in the breasts of each there was a struggle between 
their love of revenge and their love. of glory. Both 
were victorious. 

One of the spies was released, and as he ascended a 
narrow valley, leading to the Porcupine Mountains, the 
fire was applied to the dry wood piled aromid the form 
of the other, and in the darkness of midnight and amid 
the shouting of his cruel enemies, the body of the Iro- 
quois prisoner was reduced to ashes. 

The spot where the sacrifice took place has been 
riven by many a thunderbolt since that eventful hour, 
for the god of war was displeased with the faint-heart- 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 109 

edness of the Ojibways for valuing a man more highly 
than the privilege of revenge ; and the summer of the 
next year that saw the remains of the humane Ojibway 
buried on the shore of Lake Superior, saw also the re- 
mains of the pardoned spy consigned to the earth on 
the shore of Michigan. 

Thus ends the legion of Shah-gah-wah-mik, one of 
the Ajjostle Islands, which the French named La Pomte, 
and which was originally known as Mo-ne-quon-a-kon- 
ing. The village stood where the old trading. estab- 
lishment was located, and among the greenesif of the 
graves now seen in the hamlet of La Pointe is that of 
the Indian girl who exposed herself to reproach for the 
purpose of saving her people. 



TALES. 

LEGEND THIRD. 



The folio wmg legend will impart some instruction 
relative to the Indian idea of thunder. 

Once upon a time when no wars existed among men, 
the only thing they feared was a great bird seen flying 
through the air during moonlight nights. When it was 
seen in the day time its presence was usually followed 



110 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

by the visitation of some great misfortune upon any one 
who should chance to see it. 

These monstrous birds were supposed to have their 
nests somewhere, and great curiosity existed to know its 
location, as well as to know somewhat of the nature of 
the bird ; but no one seemed fortmiate enough to dis- 
cover the resort of these great birds which were called 
Ah-ne-me-keeg^ (Thunders.) 

There lived on the northern shore of Lake Superior 
an Indian warrior who from his childhood had been 
noted "for being a wise and sedat^ man ; it was suppo- 
sed by many that he would some day go on a great ex- 
ploit, as none was like him for courage, wisdom and pru- 
dence. As he was returning from one of his hunting 
expeditions, the night came on sooner than he expected 
it would, and darkness gathered around him while he 
was a great distance from his home. On his way he 
was obliged to traverse the ice on lake and river. The 
moon shone as clear and perfect as it had ever shone to 
light a traveller's path. On the warrior's back was a 
beaver, and in his hand the tried and trusted spear, with 
which he had captured it. As he was crossing the last 
lalvc the shadow of some great object passed before him, 
and he soon saw approaching a great bird, which in a 
moment cauglit him and all he had, and arose. The 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. Ill 

bird carried him westward, far above the earth, yet not 
so far as to prevent him from seeing it, and the doings 
upon it. After travelHng a great distance, they came 
in view of a high hill, which was barren of trees, but 
bore one bold barren rock. As they neared it, the bird 
endeavored to dash him upon its side, but the old Indian 
so placed his spear that he was not injured in the least 
degree. At length he was thrown upon the place where 
the young birds were. He heard fierce muttering thun- 
der overhead, and found himself left to the mercy of the 
wild birds. 

Soon after, they began to peck his head, when he, 
thinking them helpless, ventured to make battle with 
them. The Indian arose, and soon found they were too 
much for him. Whenever they winked, a flash of 
lightning would pass from their eyes and scorch him so 
severely as to burn his hands and face. 

The birds were quite small, and not able to execute 
much, and therefore by perseverance he gained the 
mastery over them with his spear. He dragged one of 
them to the edge, rolled it over the precipice, and took 
the skin from the other. 

On looking round, he discovered that he was near the 
North-west end of Lake Superior ; he then threw the 
other carcase from him, and after filling his pipe with 



112 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

Ke-ne-ke-nik (tobacco), taking one or two whiffs he held 
it in his hand, and pointing with its stem to the four 
corners of the heaven, he offered up a prayer, which he 
beUeved was heard. He then got inside of the young 
thunder skin, sewed himself in it, and rolled down the 
rocks. As he tumbled from rock to rock, the feathers of 
the skin would flash with fire. After descending about 
half way to the bottom of the precipice, the skin in 
which he was bound bore him on its wings, and after a 
long flight, alighted with him near the spot from whence 
he was taken ten days before. His wife and ctiildren 
were in mourning for his loss, for they had seen him 
taken from the ice, and were convinced that he had 
been taken by some mysterious spirit. As might be 
supposed, when he returned he surprised them by bring- 
ing to his children the hearts of the young thunders. — 
He broiled them, and as he did so, the fire made a 
crackling noise.* 

The next summer, the mountains West of the Me-she- 
be-goo-toong, on the borders of Lake Superior, were con- 
tinually enveloped in flames and heavy clouds, for it is 
there that the remainder of the thunder birds rested. 

Since mankind have gone in great crowds, these birds 



* Indian children are now told that when the fire makes a noise, 
the hearts of young ihunders are broiling in it. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 1 IJ 

are seldom seen, but are often heard in the skies, where 
they fly higher than they once did. Once they Hved 
on human flesh, but now they subsist on the wild game 
of the forest. They wink, and the fire flashes from 
their eyes. Their nests are now built on the Ah-sen- 
wah-ge-wing (Rocky Mountains), in the far West, and 
at times they are heard passing through the air towards 
the East, on their way to the sea, for they live upon fish 
and serpents, since they have been subdued by man. 



LEGEND FOURTH. 



THE TWO COUSINS. 



There lived amongst the hills of the North, two 
most intimate friends, who had appeared to have loved 
each other from the years of their earliest childhood. — 
In summer they lived by a beautiful lake. In autumn 
on the banks of a noble river. In personal appearance 
they were very near alike ; they were of the same age 
and statue. In their early days a good old Indian wo- 
man attended to their wants, and cared for tl eir wig- 
wams ; together they strolled among the greenwoods, and 
shared the results of their ramblings. Years flitted by. 
Manhood came, when they used large bows and arrows. 



114 TllADlTiONAL HISTORY OF 

One day the old lady* took them by her side, and told 
them that the Nation to which they belonged held a 
fast, and that she wanted them to fast that they might 
become great hunters. And they did fast. 

As spring advanced, they killed a great many wild 
ducks, and kept the old woman of the wigwam busy 
in taking care of their game. 

In the latter part of the year they killed a great num- 
ber of beaver, with the furs of which they clothed their 
grand-mother and themselves. 

In their journey one day, they made an agreement to 
this effect, that if the gods should make known any 
manifest favor to the one he should inform the other. 

In the fall, they were far from the rivers, but yet 
moved towards the North, where they knew the bears 
most resorted. During that winter they killed a great 
many, as also during the ensuing March. 

At the close of one of their hunting expeditions, they 
turned their feet towards home, at which they arrived 
at a late hour. As they approached, they heard the 
sound of several voices beside that of their grand-mo- 
ther. They listened, and discovered that strangers 
were in their wigwam. They entered, and beheld two 
young and beautiful damsels seated in that part of the 
room in which they generally rested during the night. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 115 

The hunters and the young women appeared very 
strange and modest. At length the old lady said to 
the young men : — 

" Noo-se-ge-took ! My children, I have called these 
two young women from the South, that they may aid 
me in taking care of all the meat and venison you may 
bring home, for I am getting old and weak and cannot 
do as much as I used to. I have put them by your 
sides that they may be your companions." 

When the last words were spoken, they looked upon 
each other, and soon left, to wander by themselves in 
the forest. 

They there consulted together as to whether they 
should comply with her request. One said he should 
leave the wigwam. The other said that if they left, 
there would be no one to supply their aged grand-mo- 
ther ; and they finally agreed to remain in the wigwam 
and pay no regard to the new comers. 

They slept side by side every night, and agreed that 

if either sho^ild wish to love one of the young strangers 

he would inform the other, and that they would then 

separate forever. In February they obtained a vast 

amount of game ; the bears having returned to their 

winter quarters were easily found and captured 

It was observed that one of the young men gazed 
H 



1 U) TRADITIOXAT. HISTORY OF 

very intently at one of the strangers, and the next morn- 
ing as they went out, he asked the other whether he did 
not begin to love the young damsel who sat on his side 
of the birchen fire. He replied negatively. It was true 
that one of the cousins appeared to be deeply absorbed 
in thought every evening, and that his manner was 
quite reserved. 

After a forttmate hunting day, as they were wending 
their way home with their heavy burden of bear and 
deer, one accused the other of loving the young woman. 
^' Tell me," said he, " and if you do, I will leave you to 
yourselves. If you have a wife, I cannot enjoy your 
company, or take the same delight with you as I do 
when we follow the chase." 

His cousin sighed, and said — " I will tell you to-night 
as we lie side by side." 

At night they conversed together, and agreed to hunt, 
and if they did not meet with success, they would sep- 
arate. The next morning they went to the woods, — 
they were not a great distance from each other during 
the hunt. The one who Avas in love shot only five, 
while the other returned with the tongues of twenty 
bears. The former was all the time thinking of the 
damsel at home, while the latter thought only of his 
game, having nothing else to divert his mind. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 117 

* 

On their return, the lucky man informed the grand- 
mother that he should leave the next morning, and that 
what he should kill on the morrow must be searched 
after, as he should not return to tell them where he had 
killed the game. His cousin was grieved to find that 
his mind was made up to leave, and began to expostu- 
late with him to change his determination ; but he 
would not be persuaded to do so. 

The next day came. The young man who was to 
leave, bound a rabbit skin about his neck to keep it 
warm, and having used on himself red and yellow 
paints, left. His cousin followed close in his rear, en- 
treating him not to leave him. 

" I will go," said he, " and live in the North, where I 
shall see but few persons, and when you come that way, 
you will see me." 

They walked side by side, until the departing cousin 
began to ascend — and as he did so, the other wept the 
more bitterly, and entreated him most perseveringly 
not to go. 

The cousin ascended to the skies, and is seen in the 
North, Ke-iva-deii-ah-mung (North Star), still hunting 
the bear ; while the other wept himself to nought before 
he could arrive home, and now he answers and mocks 
every body. He lives in the craggy rocks and deep 



lis TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

woods, and his name is Bah-swa-way (Echo). The 
young maidens hved for a long time in the South, 
under ambrosial bowers, awaiting the return of their 
lovers, until one fell in love with another, and the other 
is waiting for the return of her lover, where 

" She looks as clear as morning roses, 
Newly washed in dew." 



AN HISTORICAL TALE. 

THE EFFECTS OF LiaUOR. 

A FEW years after the extermination of the Iroquois 
from the peninsula which is formed by the three lakes, 
Huron, Erie and Ontario, a free and uninterrupted inter- 
course existed between the French of Montreal and the 
Ojibways of Lake Superior, which brought into the In- 
dians' possession implements of steel, and that bane of 
the civilized world, " fire-water." 

The people had already commenced to inhabit the 
islands along the river St. Marie, when a quantity of 
liquor was landed at a point near Grand De Tour, be- 
tween St. Marie and Mackanaw. The Indians from the 
upper lakes, as they camped, began to use this liquor 
quite freely, in order to see its curious effects upon them. 



TITF. OJIRWAY NATION. 119 

Among these were two families who had Hved and 
nmited the moose together, and had from childhood 
roamed the wide forest without one word of difference 
between them. 

They also wished to experiment with new drink, 
which when some drank would cause them to enter 
inio curious antics, others sang war songs, others were 
lovial, while a few challenged the spectators to combat 
with their weapons of war. 

During this experimenting, the two intimate friends 
had a quarrel, which resulted in the death of one of 
them. The murderer seeing what he had done, fled to 
the woods, to a spot near which they had lived, and 
there concealed himself. The deed was soon known 
all over the village. As the murderer had fled, it was 
agreed by mutual consent and in accordance with their 
law of retaliation, that the brother of the murderer 
should be executed in the guilty one's stead. That 
evening was to be the time of execution, and orders 
were given that two fires should be built about twenty- 
five feet apart. A post was placed between the two 
fires, on which he was to rest himself. 

The victim prepared himself by deliberately painting 
nimself with various colors. When the evening came, 
there were twelve warriors, with bows well strung, 



120 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

and good arrows, who were to fire at the prisoner. — 
The people with eager curiosity looked on. It was 
announced that all was ready. The victim walked 
calmly from his lodge to the place where he was soon 
to represent his brother. The warriors were arranged 
at a distance of thirty steps, and the iimocent man 
stood at the post, where his brother should have stood. 

" Don't shoot me till I give you the signal," said he, 
as he waved his hand toward heaven. His breast was 
painted black, with the exception of a white spot about 
the size of a dollar in its centre, which was to be the 
point to which the arrows should be aimed. 

The warriors and the victim were ready. The fire 
blazed, and amid the stillness of the evening, the pris- 
oner was heard singing the death wail : 

" Ne-bah bah-moo-say Ke-zhe-goon-ai, 
Ne ge chog a ye shaw-wod." 

Before the last stanza was sung, and as his voice be- 
came weak, he turned to the crowd, where he thought 
his brother might be lurking, and said — " Ha hay !" — 
then continued — " Brother, I am now ready to be killed 
in your stead. I will not dishonor the clan I belong to 
by endeavoring to shun this fate. If you can endure 
the idea that hereafter the Nation will look upon us as 
a race of cowards, live ! but I would choose to die in 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 121 

your stead." As he finished the last Ifnes of the death 
song, his brother ran from the woods to his side, and 
said — " I am not a coward. I ran to the woods to get 
sober, that I might not be killed like a dog. I can soon 
be ready, and you shall see how a brave can die." He 
then stepped aside, and blackened his breast ; breaking 
the ashes, he formed a white spot in the centre of his 
breast. Then leaning his back against the post, he be- 
gan his death song. As its last doleful note died, far 
away in the forest glen, he lifted both hands, and bared 
his breast to the warriors. Twelve arrows pierced U, 
and he fell, the second Indian victim of intemperance. 
Note. — This traditional story was related to mo by 
Ne-gah-be-an, in the year 1834, while we camped near 
Drum wood's Island on our way up the Sault St. Marie. 
It was my purpose some time since to have published a 
volume of Indian stories, and trust that I shall be able 
to do so in a short time. 



CHAPTER X. 

THEIR LANGUAGE AND WRITINGS. 

" Here are a few of the most unpleasant words 

That ever blotted paper." 

Shakspeare. 

The Ojibway language or the language of the Algon- 
quin stock is, perhaps, the most widely spoken of any 
in North America. The Atlantic tribes partook of this 
idiom when they were first discovered. 

The snows of the North bounded the people who 
spoke this language on that side, while in the South as 
far as the Potomac and the mountains of Virginia, down 
the Ohio, over the plains of Illinois to the East of the 
upper waters of the Father of Rivers, Nations resided 
three or four hundred years ago who could speak so as 
to be understood by each other. A person might have 
travelled nearly one thousand miles from the head of 
Lake Superior, and yet not journey from the sound of 
this dialect. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 123 

In consequence of this universality of their language, 
the Nation has had a wide-spreading influence. Many 
of the Nation have travelled from the main body to 
other lands : thus passing in contact with other Nations 
they have adopted their customs, and have so intermix- 
ed the two languages, that the original Ojibway is not 
now so generally spoken, within a thousand miles of the 
Ojibway or Great Lake, as formerly. 

Mr. H. R. Schoolcraft, who has studied the language 
more than any other person, and to some purpose, has 
often said through the press as well in private conversa- 
tion, that there is in it that which few other languages 
possess ; a force of expression, with music in its words 
and poetry in their meaning. I cannot express fully the 
beauty of the language, I can onl}^ refer to those who 
have studied it as well as other languages, and quote 
their own writing in saying, " every word has its ap- 
propriate meaning, and with additional syllables give 
additional force to the meaning of most words." After 
reading the English language, I have found words in 
the Indian combining more expressiveness. There are 
many Indian words which when translated into English 
lose their force, and do not convey so much meaning in 
one sentence as the original does in one word. 

It would require an almost infinitude of English words 



124 



TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 



to describe a thunder-storm, and after all you would have 
but a feeble idea of it. In the Ojibway language, we 
say ^^Be-wah-sam-moog." In this we convey the idea 
of a continual glare of lightning, noise, confusion — an 
awful whirl of clouds, and much more. Observe the 
smoothness of its words : — 



Ah-nung-o-kah, 

Bah-bah-me-tum, . 

Che-baum, 

De goo wah skah, . 

E nah-kay-yah, 

Gah-gah-geeh, 

How-\vah-do-seh, 

Ish peming, 

Jeen quon, 

Kah-ke-nah, 

Mah-nah-ta-nis, 

Nah-nah-gum-moo, 

0-nah-ne quod, 

Pah -pah-say, 

Quah-nauge, 

Sah-se-je-\von, 

Tah-que-shin, . 

Wah-be-goo-ne, 

Yuh-no-tum, 

Ze-bee-won, 



The stari-y heavens. 

Obedience. 

Soul. 

The rippling wave. 

The way. 

Raven. 

Stone carrier (fish.) 

Heaven. 

Earthquake. 

All. 

Sheep. 

Singing. 

Pleasant weather. 

Woodpecker. 

Pretty. 

Rapids. 

He or she comefi. 

Lily. 

Unbelief. 

Streams. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 125 

Upon examination it will be found that there are sev- 
eral letters not sounded, to wit : F, L, R, V, X, though 
Carver mentions in his vocabulary the use of the letter 
L in several instances. This no doubt he did because 
he lacked a perfect understanding of the language. The 
same may be said of the letter R. We have none of 
the mouthing as of the thick sound of the letter L, nor 
any of the gutteral accompaniments of the letter R. To 
the contrary^ all the softness of the vowels are sounded 
without many of the harsh notes of the consonants, and 
this produces that musical flow of words for which the 
language is distinguished. 

It is a natural language. The pronunciation of the 
names of animals, birds and trees are the very sounds 
these produce ; for instanccj Hoot Owl, O-o-me-seh ; 
Owl, Koo-koo-ko-ooh ; River, See-be ; Rapids, JSah se-je- 
won. ">S'ee" is the sound of the waters on the rocks. — 
^^Sah-se^^ the commotion of waters, and from its sound 
occurs its name. 

The softness of the language is caused, as I have be- 
fore said, by the peculiar sounding of all the vowels ; 
though there is but little poetic precision in the forma- 
tion of verse, owing to the want of a fine discriminating 
taste by those who speak it. 

A language, derived, as this is, from the peculiarities 



126 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

of the country in which it is spoken, must, necessarily, 
partake of its nature. Our orators have filled the forest 
with the music of their voices, loud as the roar of a 
waterfall, yet soft and wooing as the gentle murmur of 
a mountain stream. We have had warriors who have 
stood on the banks of lakes and rivers, and addressed 
with words of irresistible and persuasive eloquence their 
companions in arms. 

The Ojibway language has not yet been reduced to 
a perfect written form. An attempt to do this was made 
by the lamented Summerfield, who in his degree of 
usefulness would not have dishonored his name had he 
lived. Close study was followed by a consumptive dis- 
ease, which terminated his life before his contemplated 
work was finished. In his attempt he followed too 
much the English idiom in forming a grammar of the 
Ojibway language. 

The records of the Ojibways have a two-fold mean- 
ing ; the hieroglyphic symbols of material objects repre- 
sent the transmission of a tradition from one generation 
to another. This refers more particularly to their reli- 
gion, which is itself founded on tradition. Picture wri- 
tmg is most prevalent, and is used altogether in their 
medicine and hunting songs. Here are figures which 
suggest sentences to be sung : 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 127 




This is one of their war sons, which might read in 
English thus : 

I. 

1 will haste to the land of the foe, 
With warriors clad with the bow. 
II. 
I will drink the blood of their very heart ; 
I will change their joy into sorrow's smart 
Their braves, their sires will I defy. 
And a Nation's vengeance satisfy. 
III. 
They are in their homes, now happy and free ; 
No frowning cloud o'er their camp they see ; 
Yet the youngest of mine shall see the tall 
Braves, scattered, wandering, and fall. 

The warrior is represented by the figure of a man 
with a bow about hirn, and arrows in his hand ; with 
the plume of the eagle waving over his head, indicative 
of his acquaintance with war life. The next figure 
represents a watching warrior, equally brave, but the 
heart is represented as dead. The curve of his mouth 
shows that he is shouting. The next figure represents 
a person with long hair, an indication that the best of the 



128 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

enemy's warriors were to fall, and their wail must be 
heard like the wail of a woman. The wigwam with 
its smoke curling upwards, indicates a council fire and 
the defiance of an attack. The other wigwams are 
seen without fire ; and the black one signifies silence and 
death. 

When I was young I was taught this, and while sing- 
ing I could, in imagination, see the enemy, though none 
were within a hundred miles. 

In their war songs animals are likewise represented 
in various attitudes. A rattle is made of deer's hoofs 
which is shook during the singing. 

This rattle was sometimes used for the purpose of 
transmitting news from one nation to another ; but in 
most cases shells were used for this purpose. I have 
been present in Canada when a string of beads has been 
received from the head waters of Lake Superior. A pro- 
found silence ensued, then followed a revelation of the 
message, and at its close a prolonged grunting sound 
from the vast assembly signified the people's assent. 

There is a place where the sacred records are depo- 
sited in the Indian country. These records are made 
on one side of bark and board plates, and are examined 
once in fifteen years, at which time the decaying ones 
are replaced by new plates. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 129 

This secrecy is not generally known by those people 
who have searched Avith interest the Indian, and traced 
him in all his wanderings to get an idea of his religion 
and bis worship, which however absurd they may have 
seemed, have nevertheless been held in so rigid respect 
that he has formed for it a cloak of almost impenetrable 
mystery. He concluded that all Nature, around him 
was clothed in mystery — that innumerable spirits were 
ever near to forward a good object and retard a bad one, 
and that they existed as a chain connecting heaven 
with earth. His medicine bag contained all those native 
things of the forest around which, in his opinion, the 
greatest mystery gathered ; as the more of mystery, the 
more of the Great Spirit seemed to be attached to them. 
A whale was an object of much importance, because it 
was dedicated to the Supreme Being, and to approach 
it, or look upon it irreverently, would offend him and 
his children. They therefore never drew near it but 
with the most profound silence and veneration. "With 
this great awe of spiritual things in his mind, he feels 
reluctant to reveal all that he knows of his worship and 
the objects and rites which perpetuate it. 

Most Indian Nations of the West have places in which 
they deposit the records which are said to have origina- 
ted their worship. The Ojibways have three such de- 



130 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

positories near the waters of Lake Superior. Ten of the 
wisest and most venerable of the Nation dwell near 
these, and are appointed guardians over them. 

Fifteen years intervene between each opening. At 
the end of this time, if any vacancies have been caused 
by death, others are chosen in the spring of the year, 
who, about the month of August, are called to witness 
the opening of the depositories. As they are being 
opened, all the information known respecting them is 
given to the new members ; then the articles are placed 
before them. After this, the plates are closely examin- 
ed, and if any have begun to decay they are taken out ; 
an exact fac simile is made and placed in its stead. — 
The old one is divided equally among the wise men. It 
is very highly valued for having been deposited ; as a 
sacJred article, every fibre of it is considered sacred^ and 
whoever uses it may be made wise. It is considered 
efficacious for any good purpose it may be put. 

These records are written on slate rock, copper, lead, 
and on the bark of birch trees. The record is said to 
be a transcript of what the Great Spirit gave to the In- 
dian after the flood, and by the hands of wise men has 
been transmitted to other parts of the country ever since. 
Here is a code of moral laws which the Indian calls 
" a path made by the Great Spirit." They believe that 

• 



THE OJIRWAY NATION. 131 

a long and prosperous life will be the result of obeying 
that law. The records contain certain emblems which 
transmit the ancient form of worship, and the rules for 
the dedication of four priests who alone are to expound 
them. In them is represented how man lived happy in 
his wigwam, before death was in the world, and the 
path he then followed marked out an example for those 
of the present time. 

During my travels over the whole extent of the Na- 
tion, I have been informed of a great many facts respect- 
ing these sacred depositories of which most of my breth- 
ren are ignorant. 

The Chief of Lac Coart, Oreille, (" Moose Tail,") in 
the spring of 1836, related to my uncle John Taunchey, 
of Rice Lake, C. W., an account of one of these deposi- 
tories near the mouth of " Round Lake." 

He said he had been chosen as one of the guardians 
about five years previous, and that the guardians had 
for a long time selected as the places of deposit the most 
unsuspected spot, where they dug fifteen feet, and simk 
large cedar trees around the excavatior^. In the centre 
was placed a large hollow cedar log, besmeared at one 
end v/ith gum. The open end is uppermost, and in it 
are placed the records, after being enveloped in the down 
of geese or swan, which are changed at each examina- 



132 



TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 



tion. These feathers are afterwards used in war, being 
supposed to have a protective power. When camping, 
a few of these feathers are left near each place where 
the w^arriors dance. 

These are some of the figures used by us in writing. 
With these, and from others of a similar class, the Ojib- 
ways can write their war and hunting songs. 

An Indian well versed in these can send a communi- 
cation to another Indian, and by them make himself as 
well understood as a pale face can by letter. 

There are over two hundred figures in general use 
for all the purposes of cori'espondence. Material things 
are represented by pictures of them. 

THE CHARACTERS USED IN PICTURE WRITING. 




Groat S[)irit, 
every where. 



Noon. 



Bud Spirit, water god. 



THE OJIBWAY NATIOIf. 



133 



iWiT 



Rain, cloudy. 



o 




Old tree. Tree. Spirit. ^^^^^ 



Islands. 



Moose. 



Duck, water birds. 



Storm, windy. 



jj^^ Bad spring under earth. 

Medicine Lodge. 



1 



Trees, 
War. woods. 



Bad. Wounded water god. 



T f 



I 



Bad Spirit, Worship, Scalps, 

Medicine. Medicine, pure. number. Young warrior. 



Night. 

© 

Spirits above. 

1(111 I L I T t I n L 



K 



Fight-Man, Bad Spirit. Mountains. 



Great. 



Sea Monster eat man. 



-LULLL 



Animals under ground. Spirits under water. Cold, 

<r 1 Walked, Hand, 
Ran. passed. did so. Bear Killed 



^^ 



Fire. 



Dream. 



^ 



Speak. 



Stand. 



134 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

Invitations to Indians to come and worship in the 
spring are made in the following form : — 

Medicine House Gt. Lodge. Wigwam, Woods. 

:<0- .===- ^m^ % <t> 

Lake. River. Canoe. Come- Great Spirit. 

The whole story would thus read : — 

"Hark to the words of the Sa-ge-mah." 

" The Great Medicine Lodge will be ready in eight days." 

*• Ye who live in the woods and near the Lakes and by streams 

of water, come with your canoes or by land to the worship of the 

Great Spirit." 

In the above, the wigwam and the medicine pale or 
worship, represent the depositories of medicine, record 
and work. The Lodge is represented with men in it ; 
the dots above indicate the number of days. 

These picture representations were used by the Ojib- 
ways until the introduction of European manners among 
them. When this occurred, they neglected in a great 
degree their correspondence with other nations, except 
by special messengers, and became very cautious in 
giving information respecting their religious worship to 
the whites, because they, the whites, ridiculed it. It is 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 135 

worthy of remark in this place, that however ridiculous 
the simple rites and ceremonies by which the untutored 
Indian showed his faith in the Great Spirit may have 
appeared, they were dear and sacred to him, and ridi- 
cule should never have been used to disabuse his mind 
of his long formed opinions. It was a fruitless way to 
reclaim him. by the attempt to do so by ridicule ; and 
man could never by such means imbue his mind with 
the principles of true worship. 

In times of danger or in the progress of a war, beads 
and shells were used for the purpose of conveying a 
message, and this custom is yet in vogue. 

These beads and shells were colored, and each had a 
meaning, according to its place on the string. Black 
indicated war or death — White, peace and prosperity — 
Red, the heart of the enemy would represent — Partial 
white or red, or both intermixed, the beginning of peace 
or the commencement of war. 

Numerals are marked on the shell. The knot gives 
information of its starting point, or the name of the per- 
son sending it. In stringing the shells or beads, the 
end of the sentence is strung first, so that the first word 
of the message is in the person's hand. This manner 
of correspondence is the most common. 

Three hundred years ago the Delawares sent com- 



loG TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

munications in this way to the Shawnees in Sandusky 
Lake Erie ; and they to the Ojibways in Superior and 
Huron. 

This mode was practised by Pontiac in his appeals 
to the Indians of Michigan, Huron, and the prairies of 
the West, during the wars. The Indians say that these 
beads cannot give false stories, for it is not possible for 
the man who takes it to alter or add to them, during 
his journey. 



CHAPTER XI. 

THEIR GOVERNMENT, 

" Each stale must have its pallaces ; 
Kingdoms have edicts ; cities have their charters ; 
Even the wild outlaw in his forest walk 
Keeps yet some touch of civil discipline." 

Pope. 

The rulers of the Ojibways were inheritors of the 
power they held. However, when a new country was 
conquered or new dominions annexed, the first rulers 
were elected to their offices. Afterwards the descend- 
ants of these elected chiefs ruled the Nation, or tribe, 
and thus the power became hereditary. On the death 
of the chief ruler, should the son be under age, the bro- 
ther of the deceased rules in his stead, until the youth 
becomes a man, when after the display of much cere- 
mony, he takes his seat at the head of the Council of 
the Nation. * 

These young rulers are apt to be more cautious in the 



138 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

exercise of their governing power than those who pos* 
sess more mature age with its more mature vanities. — 
Ha^^ing been trained, and trained well by the aged wise 
men, they enter upon their duties conscious of their re- 
sponsibilities, and remembering the advise they have 
received from their elders. 

Councils were only convened by the Chiefs who pre- 
sided on important occasions. Those who sat at these 
councils, did so according to their age and wisdom. — 
Among these a free discussion was allowed, the youngest 
generally remaining silent listeners to the wisdom of 
the aged. 

A Chief had always two braves at his side — one was 
always near him day and night. Their duties were 
various. At times watching the lodge of the Chief — at 
others, sent on important errands for the Nations. They 
were frequently ordered not to stand still on their, way, 
or sit down to rest until they had delivered their mes- 
sage and received an answer. 

Being commanded to go on one of these errands, the 
young brave utters " hah," signifying his assent to do 
all that is required of him. He then takes the brace of 
beads, turns suddenly about and proceeds on his way 

Day after day, night after night, he journeys on till he 
reaches his destination and does the command of his Chief. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 139 

I knew a young man by the name of John Loper. 
He was the best runner my father had, and was a man 
of great energy and activity. He travelled with us 
when we removed to the north towards the Ottawa 
River. 

In the dead of winter the track of his snow shoes might 
have been seen far and near. 

In the spring of the year we often sat together in the 
open woods, he relating his adventures and I listenmg 
to his account of having crossed swollen sti;eams on cakes 
of ice or logs of wood, holding fast to his only hope of life 
with his clothes all in rags, and his body so torn and 
bruised by the brush-wood and briars, that his mocca- 
sins were filled with blood. 

John died in 1839, much lamented. Since then the 
Ojibways have not seen a man possessing so much energy 
or one so determined upon surmounting all obstacles 
that lie in his path as he was. 

This person acted the part of a commissary when 
any thing was to be divided in the village. Formerly 
they received nothing for such services, but now they 
receive a stated salary and a provision for their expenses. 
They traverse the Ojibway coimtry in all directions, and 
during the winter inform the people that they must meet 
together at the first change of the " flower moon" (May) 



140 THE OJIBWAY NATION. 

at the place named by the Chief. All matters of impor- 
tance are decided by the Chief. He pronounces all 
marriages, and his word settles all difficulties of every 
name and nature. No appeal can be made from his 
decisions, as he is the highest. 

Any one found guilty of a misdemeanor is brought 
before the Chief, who reprimands him before the crowd. 

When a murder is committed, the Chief can act as he 
pleases in regard to the offender, but should he not in- 
terfere, the relations of the deceased take the law in 
their own hands, and execute death upon the murderer. 

Those who murder never attempt to run away or con- 
ceal their guilt, but repair to their wigwam. If the 
Chief leams that the crime was provoked, he shields and 
protects the criminal : if not, he is put to death. His 
life is at every moment in danger should he live. 

Theft is punished by making the thief publicly known 
and being clothed as such. In this way adultery is pim- 
ished in the case of a man : in that of a woman, she has 
her hair cut from ear to ear, which is a mark of disgrace. 
It does not devolve upon any Chief in particular to make 
or form a war party, but any of the braves can muster 
together a band of volunteers. Those who have a 
desire to do so, can join these parties, the number of 
each party being regulated entirely according to the 



T III: I ) J 1 P, WAV NATION. ] i 1 

bravery of the individual who forms it. Among the 
Indians there have been no written laws. Customs 
handed down from generation to generation have 
been the only laws to guide them. Every one might 
act different from what was considered right did he 
choose to do so, but s»ch acts would bring upon him 
the censure of the Nation, which he dreaded more than 
any corporal punishment that could be inflicted upon him. 
This fear of the Nation's censure- acted as a mighty 
band, binding all in one social, honorable compact. They 
would not as brutes be whipped into duty. They would 
as men be persuaded to the right. 

Of late years, law has borne with it very many evils. 
We can judge somewhat of the character of a community 
by its buildings. Prisons, penitentiaries, and poor^ 
houses are bad signs. 

Before law was introduced, the Indians had none of 
these. Whatever we had was shared alike. In times 
of gladness all partook of the joy ; and when suffering 
came all alike suffered. 

I believe commmiities can be governed by the pure 

rules of Christianity, with less coercion than the laws of 

civilized nations, at present, impose upon their subjects. 

This however cannot be done unless each is resolved 

upon a manly forbearance of those minor evils which in 



142 THE OJIBAVAY NATION. 

all cases precede great ones. A vast amount of evidence 
can be adduced to prove that force has tended to bru- 
talize rather than ennoble the Indian race. The more 
a man is treated as a brother, the less demand for law. 
The less law there is, the more will man be honored 
thus. ' 

One of the most favorable indications in the Algon- 
quin tribes of their ultimate adoption of a pure Christi- 
anity is the simplicity of their government, and of their 
life and manners. To this the eye of the missionary 
should be directed, and all his actions be conformed to 
this happy state of afiairs. 

Of late, the General Councils of the Christian Ojibways 
have been convened and carried on in the same manner 
as the public meetings of the whites are conducted. 

The last General Council, which consisted of Ojibways 
and Ottawas, was held at Sangeeng. The Chiefs came 
from St. Clair, Huron, Ontario, Simcoe, Rice, and Mud 
Lakes. 

The object of this convention was to devise plans by 
which the tract of land then held by the Sangeeng In- 
dians, could be held for the sole use of the Ojibway 
Nation ; to petition the government for aid in establish- 
ing a Manual Labor School ; to ascertain the views and 
feelings of the Chiefs in relation to forming one large sot- 



THE OJIRWAY NATION. 1 13 

tlemeiit among themselves at Owen's Somid, where they 
might Uve in future, and to attend to other things of 
minor importance. 

There were forty-eight Chiefs present from Canada 
West alone. Chief Sawyer took the chair, and the writer 
had the honor of being Vice President. Chief John 
Jones of Owen Sound, was appointed to deliver the open- 
ing address, in which he was to give an outline of the 
subjects to be discussed. 

The meeting was called to order ; and after singing 
and prayer, the former by the members of the council, 
the latter by Chief Sunday, in which all united. Chief 
Jones arose. After casting a piercing glance over the 
assembly, he spoke as follows : — 

" Brothers ! You have been called from all parts of 
Canada, and even from the North of Georgia Bay. 

You are from your homes, your wives and your chil- 
dren. 

We might regret this separation were it not for the 
circumstances that call you here. 

Fellow Chiefs and Brothers ! I have pondered with 
deep solicitude our present condition ; and the future 
welfare of our children as well as of ourselves. I have 
studied deeply and anxiously in order to arrive at a true 
knowledge of the proper course to be pursued in order to 



144 "^J'RADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

secure to us and our descendants, and even to otliers 
around us, the greatest amount of peace, health, happi- 
ness and usefuhiess. The interests of the Ojibways are 
near and dear to my heart ; for them I .have passed 
many a sleepless night, and have oftentimes been wearied 
with an agitated mind. 

The people of these Nations, I am proud to say, are 
my brethren ; many of them are bone of my bone ; 
and for them, if needs be, I could willingly, yea cheer- 
fully sacrifice my life. 

Brothers, you see my heart.* Fellow Chiefs and War- 
riors ! I have looked over your wigwams through Can- 
ada, and have arrived at the conclusion, that you are in 
a warm place : your neighbors, the whites, are kindling 
fires all around you.t One purpose for which we have 
been called together, is to devise some plan by which 
we can live together ; and become a happy people, so 
that our fires may not go out (Nation become extinct) but 
may be kindled in one place, which will prove a blessing 
to our children. 

Brothers ! Some of you are living on small parcels of 

* Here the speaker held out a piece of white paper, emblematic of 
a pure heart. , 

t Reference was here made to the clearing of the lands— The trees 
being burnt for that purpose. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 145 

land, and others on Islands. We now offer you any 
portion of the land which we own in this region ; that 
we may during the remainder of our days, smoke the 
pipe of friendship ; live and die together, and see our 
children reared on one spot and join there in their youth- 
ful sports. We ask no more from you. We feel for you. 
We feel for your children's sake, and therefore we make 
this proposition. 

Brothers ! There are many subjects worthy of your 
consideration, but the most important are 

1st. Whether it would be better for the whol^ Ojib- 
way Nation to reside on this, our own territory ? 

2nd. Would it not be well to devise ways and means 
for the establishment and support of Manual Labor 
Schools, for the benefit of the nation ? 

3d. Ought a petition to be drawn up and be present- 
ed to our Great Father, (Governor General) for the pur- 
pose of fixing upon- a definite time for the distribution of 
the annual " presents" and the small annuities of each 
tribe 1 

4th. Is it desirable to petition our Great Father to 
appoint a resident Indian Interpreter, to assist the agent 
at Toronto? 

5th. As we (the Christian part of the Nation) have 
abandoned our former customs and ceremonies, ought 



146 THE ojinwAY nation. 

we not to make our own laws, in order to give charac- 
ter and stability to our Chiefs, as well as to empower 
them to treat with the Government under which we live, 
that they may, from time to time, present all our griev- 
ances, and other matters to it ? 

My Chiefs, Brothers, Warriors ! This morning, (point- 
ing upwards) look up and see the blue sky ; there are 
no clouds ; the Great Spirit is smiling upon us. May 
he preside over us, that we may make a long, srqpoth and 
straight path for our children. 

It is true, I seldom see you all ; but this morning I 
shake hands with you all in my heart. 

Brothers ! This is all I have to say." 

On taking his seat eighty-four Chiefs responded ^'-HaWl 
an exclamation of great applause. 

Several Chiefs addressed the Council, highly appro- 
ving of the plans proposed, and expressmg their grati- 
tude for the liberal offer of lands 




^Hs^'^^^^^^J^/^'^^W' 



CHAPTER XII. 

THEIR RELIGIOUS BELIEF. 

" The generous Author of the Universe, 
Who reins the winds, gives the vast ocean bounds, 
And circumscribes the floating world their rounds." 

" Sees God in clouds or hears Him in the wind." 

The Ojibway Nation believed in a Great Good Spirit, 
and in a Bad Spirit. They had also " gods innumera- 
blCj" among which was " the god of war," " the god 
of hunting," and " the god of the fowls of the air." 

The skies were filled with the deities they worshipped, 
and the whole forest awakened with their whispers. 
The lakes and streams were the places of their resort, 
and momitains and vallies alike their abode. All the 
remarkable spots in the country were considered their 
favorite resorts. These were the peaks of rocky cliffs ; 
the clefts of craggy mounts. Water-falls were thought 
to be their sporting scenes. 



148 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

The sky was the home of the god who held a watch- 
ful care over every star. They heard him whisper in 
the gentle breeze, or howl in the tempest. He had do- 
minion over all the three heavens, and sometimes amused 
himself by hurling stars from their stations and causing 
them on their passage to the earth to change into de- 
mons to wrong and perplex the people who inhabited 
the place of their destination. 

The constellations of stars were council gatherings of 
the god. The brightest were ruling spirits, appointed 
by the Great Spirit as guardians of the lesser ones* 
Clusters of stars were the populous cities of the celestials. 

In the stories of the wigwam, mention is made of some 
of these high born personages coming to earth to dwell 
among the people ; also of men going up and becom- 
ing inhabitants of the skies. They say animals have 
received wings ; and some of them from heaven. 

Were all the stories that are related of the skies 
written, it would be fomid that each star has connected 
with it some strange event. The history of the tradition 
of the stars, according to Indian tradition, would be a 
history indeed, and would rank among the " curiosities 
of literature." 

The earth teemed with all sorts of spirits, good and 
bad t\ )se of the forest clothed themselves with moss. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 149 

During a shower of rain, thousands of them are shelter- 
ed in a flower. 

The Ojibway, as he rechnes beneath the shade of his 
forest trees, imagines these gods to be about him. He 
detects their tiny voices in the insect's hum. With half 
closed eyes he beholds them sporting by thousands on 
a sunray. In the evening they are seen and heard 

*' Above, below, on every side, 

Their little minium forms displayed 
In all the tricksy pomp of fairy pride." 

They have a special god presiding over the most 
noted herbs of the earth. These are subject to this be- 
ing who is called the god of Medicine Men or women 
are deemed capable of learning the virtues of roots from 
him, and often fast in order to gain his favor. In time 
of war they carry certain roots with them, which accord- 
ing to their idea, prevent the balls of an enemy from 
striking them. 

The Ojibways place much dependence upon dreams. 
They are to them the omens of good or bad fortune. — 
Fastings of considerable length are endured in order to 
win the good will of the god. These fasts are at vari- 
ous times. The summer season is the time of the chil- 
dren's fasting. I well remember the tedious fast of four 
or five days I imderwent when quite young, and what 



150 THE OJIBWAY NATION. 

a tremendous appetite I had when it was over ; as fai 
exceeding that of the renowned Gogerins, as theirs did 
that of the Eastmans. 

I cannot better portray the i/ifluence of dreams upon 
the Indian's mind than by relating a story of an Indian 
damsel, who according to the custom of fasting, deter- 
mined to do so in a remarkable romantic spot, near Grand 
Island. A cave in each side of this cove is to be seen 
at the present day, with a rivulet coming down to the 
edge of the lake. A rock arches the stream similar to 
the natural bridge of Yirginia ; on the tops of which is 
a pine tree standing alone. In one of the caves lies a 
ledge of rock, and it was to this the maiden resorted to 
ask the favor of the gods. 

In a summer season she with her friends were coasting 
along the southern shore, camping every evening. Sud- 
denly, as it were, she became pensive. She said but 
httle, and her parents wondered, not knowing the cause 
of her change. Her mother thought she had become 
angered, and inquired of her whether such was the fact. 
She merely smiled and said Kah ween. 

Evening after evening passed, and on each she took 
her accustomed stroll along the beach, picking up Cor- 
nelian stones, which are found there in great numbers, 
one evening she was seen standing on the peak of the 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 151 

pictured rocks ; and as the sun was passing the horizon, 
and the waves dashed furiously, she was heard to sing 
for the first time. Her long black hair floated upon the 
wind, and her voice was heard abov^e the rustling of the 
leaves and the noise of the waters. When night came, 
she could not be seen. She had fled to the rocky cave, 
from whence were to go up her petitions to the gods. 

The people lighted their birch torches, and wandered 
over the forest, but they could not observe the slightest 
sign of the maiden's presence. They were obliged to 
wait until the morning. At length day dawned, — the 
sun gradually arose. Her parents and the people went 
in search of her ; they looked in every place— in wood- 
land, in glades, upon the shore and in the caves of the 
rocks, yet could not find her. Day passed. Night 
came. They called her by name, ^'- Shah-won-o-equaP 
(Lady of the South) but she answered not, and they 
were left in great distress, conjecturing about her situa- 
tion. The next day was spent in like manner, but with 
no better success. As evening approached, they thought 
they heard her voice. They all listened. " Yes," said 
the father, " it is Shah-won-o-equa." The voice seemed 
to be at so great a distance among the rocks that they 
could not reach the spot from which it proceeded before 
night came, and the voice departed. 



152 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

Anxiously they awaited the approach of day, and 
when it came, with all possible speed they hasted in the 
direction in which they had heard the voice. Not see- 
ing any path made by her footsteps, they concluded that 
it was not her voice, but that of a spirit they had heard, 
and that she had been taken away by the Great Spirit 
whose track* was seen on the rocks. 

The next night when the sun was sinking, they again 
heard the voice, sounding as if on the cliifs of the rocks. 
They looked, when they beheld standing on a lofty 
peak the Ibst maiden, gazing at the departing sun, and 
chanting her evening prayer to the gods of her fathers. 
The parents were convinced that the form they beheld 
could not be a spirit, but in reality their daughter. The 
next morning another search was made, which resulted 
in finding her sitting in the cave, having robes of fur 
covering her head, and boughs of cedar all around her. 
Since the day she left her home, she had taken no food, 
and though a rivulet of pure water coursed along at her 
feet, she touched it not. 

She was asked why she had not informed her friends 
of her situation. She replied, that she wanted to fast, 
and that to do so, it was best for her to remain there in 

• The marks on ihe pictured rocks are thought to be the footsteps 
of the Grfat Spirit. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 153 

seclusion. Her mother wished her to go with her to 
their wigwam, but the girl refused to do so, until the 
gods were propitious to her. 

The following day her mother again visited her, and 
inquired whether the gods had visited her since their 
last interview. She replied that they had not, hut that' 
she was resolved upon remaining there until they did. 
She then covered her head with furs and laid down. 

In the cave, on the ledge of rocks, she waited to re- 
ceive the god of war, the god of the vegetable kingdom, 
and the god of the waters, whom she expected v/ould 
visit her in her dreams, or in a visible form, and con- 
verse with her. 

That evening the waves roared furiously, and the 
winds moaned. She fell asleep. She saw a young 
warrior approach, who standing over her, gazed at her 
as her raven hair was tossed about by the wind. Bend- 
ing over her, he said : — 

" Equa ! (woman) I have watched thee these three 
days — and now I come to speak to you. What will 
you have ? The furs from the woods — the plumes of 
rare birds — the animals of the forest — or a knowledge 
of the properties of the wild flowers ?" 

" Young man !" said she, " I know thy fathers are 
the unseen spirits of the earth. I want not the furs, 



i64 THE OJIBWAY NATION. 

nor the plumes, nor the animals. I want a knowledge 
of the roots that I may relieve the Nation's sufferings, 
and prolong the lives of the aged who live among us." 

"And is this for what you have fasted so long and so 
faithfully ?" 

" Yes — the woods had their charms for me when I 
was small, but now the long wail of my people over 
their accumulating woes sounds in my ears. The forest 
yields pleasant fruits, and the lake shores are decorated 
with pebbles of various hues. I loved to gather the 
lilies and the flowers, till I learned there was life in 
them and a power to impart it. Then I hasted to this 
secluded spot, and, that I might learn the secret of the 
herbs and flowers, I have fasted here in seclusion, wait- 
ing the approach of thy fathers to teach them to me." . 

" Then wait for them," said the young man, "for they 
will soon come." 

He left. Night came on — dark night, and she dream- 
ed that she was placed on the edge of a high rock which 
was suspended over the great prairies of the West, and 
that before her many Nations assembled to join in a 
great ball play. 

She stood watching the progress of the game, and 
observed that the women were the fleetest, and that one 
of them actually won the prize. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 155 

The stranger again stood at the damsel's side. — 
" There," said he, " do you see that maiden among the 
crowd ?" She answered that she did. " So will your 
Nation look to you, when an ^assembled multitude 
gather to join in the Nation's ball play. If this will 
satisfy you, go now, return to your mother." 

He left her again, and in much agitation she awoke 
from her eventful sleep. 

The morning dawned, when again her mother in- 
quired whether she had been visited by the gods. She 
made no reply. Her mother left, but soon again re- 
turned and without success importuned her to leave 
the cave. 

That night the winds were fierce, and the waters 
dashed with great power against the pictured rocks. — 
The earth trembled as the thunder growled above it, 
and the frequent, almost continuous lightning caused the 
streams of water to appear like floods of molten gold. 

Notwithstanding the tumult of nature, the maiden 
tell asleep. Numerous individuals surrounded her. — 
One was clad in scarlet — another in blue — another in 
black, and another in white cloth. They sang a song, 
then left, with the exception of one. who it appeared re- 
mained to reveal to her the purport of what she saw. 
He was old and quite bald-headed. 



15(3 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

'• No-sis !" (child) said he, " do you know those who 
came and sung to you ?" She replied that she did not. 
" Why," continued he, " they are all my children — they 
are the birds you see in the forests — they will always 
sing for you." 

" And I am their parent," said a great Bald Eagle, 
adjusting his wings, and suddenly starting off. 

The next morning, these same birds came and sang 
near her head, while she was musing over her pleasant 
dream. 

The Red-breast Robin, the Scarlet birds, the Blue 
Jays, and the tiny Humming-birds, were about her. — 
She thought the gods had been propitious to her, and 
her heart filled with emotions of gratitude. 

When the next morning came, she began to find her 
strength fast failing. Her mother again came with her 
usual entreaties, but to them all she remained silent, and 
apparently did not notice her or them. 

She had a number of remarkable dreams. In one ot 
these she saw two beings who came to conduct her to a 
hill, from whence she could see the plains below. In 
climbing the hill, they ascended many steeps, and as 
she stood on the summit of one of these, her attendants 
bade her look back and see what had been passed. 

She turned. What a sight ! The clouds rolled be- 



THE OJIRWAY NATION. 157 

neath her ; above all was clear. She saw the path she 
had foUovved, and around it she beheld the lightning's 
flash. 

*"• That which is before you, bordering on the great 
hill, is Infancy. It is pleasant, but dangerous. The 
rocks represent the perilous times of life. But keep 
moving : look not behind you again, until you have 
reached the highest peak." 

Up — up they went. The way was diversified — some- 
times safe, at other times dangerous. When they had 
fully ascended, they beheld on one side the deep, broad 
ocean : at the other, the lofty, numerous mountains of 
the West — Ocean glittering in the sunlight — Nature 
rearing its battlements to the skies. 

One of the maiden's companions touched her head, 
when one-half of her hair was changed to snowy white- 
ness. Then she awoke, much exhausted. 

The next morning, when her mother came, and, as 
before, wished her to accompany her, she determined 
that if on her next visit she should refuse, she would 
take her from the cave by main force. 

In her last dream she saw a canoe sailing upon Lake 
Superior. It came to where she stood, and she was 
asked to enter it. She did so, when one of her visiters 
began to chant a song : — 



158 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

" Ba bah mah she yon nee beeng gay, 
Ba bah moo say ah keeng gay." 

" I walk on the waves of the sea, 
I travel o'er hill and dale." 

They proceeded in the canoe till they were far from 
the sight of land, and the waters around them were 
unmoved. 

" When becalmed," said they, " sing this, and you 
will hear us whisper to you. They then returned her 
to the shore. 

When she awoke, the storm was yet raging, and the 
voices of the gods were heard in the winds among the 
trees. Believing she had gained the good will of the 
spirits she had retired to meet, she permitted herself, 
when her mother came, to be taken to the wigwam. — 
It was the tenth day of her fasting, and her strength 
was nearly gone. 

" By my fasting I have received the favor of the gods," 
said she to the friends who crowded around her. " I 
have travelled the journey of life, and have learned that 
I shall not die until half of my hair has turned white." 

Since that time, I have seen that girl but once. In 
the year 1842, while sailing along Lake Superior, on its 
southern shore, I came rather unexpectedly to a cluster 
of wigwams, where I saw Shah- won a-qua, and listened 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 159 

with deep interest to her relation of the dreams of hei 
childhood. I gave her a few wild ducks from my boa< 
load of game, and a yard of scarlet clotli — a fabric 
wliich is esteemed very highly by the Indian women. 
This I did in payment for those early impressions she 
had made upon my mind, leading me to believe that 
the noble deeds of man are those, and those only, which 
are performed for the good of others ; and that virtue 
will be alike rewarded in the future, whether it be 
found and cherished in pagan lands or in Christian 
temples. 

There is one Ruler whom we call Ke-sha-moii-e-doOj 
"Benevolent Spirit," ox Ke-che-mo?i-e-doo, "Great Spirit." 
This being is over the universe at the same time, ruling 
all under different names, such as "the god of war," 
" the god of the fish," <fec. 

The Sun is the wigwam of the Great Spirit, and it is 
as the abode of this being that the Indians view that 
luminary. Very few of the Northern Indians ever held 
the idea that the Sun was an object of worship. 

When great Councils are held, or the Medicine Avor- 
ship is in progress, if the day is clear the Indians think 
that the Great Spirit smiles upon them. If it be cloudy, 
it is thought the Great Spirit is displeased. 

None of the Indian youth are allowed to speak the 



160 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

name of the Great Spirit without proper marks of ven- 
eration. There was a time when they did not take the 
name of God in vain, but this habit some have acquired 
since being civihzed (!) The rigid, though not too rigid 
rules they have adopted, might have been sustained had 
not evil entered with the good during their intercourse 
with the whites. As it is, there are children who, as 
soon as their tongues get in shape, use them to blas- 
pheme their Creator. I never heard a man swear with- 
out its causing my blood to run cold. Why, pale face, 
let me tell you, the Bad Spirit is a saint to such a man. 

That worship of the Indians called " Me-day Wor- 
ship," is conducted as follows : 

When a lodge is made, its length is in proportion to 
the number of persons who are to occupy it. Its width 
is generally from twenty paces. Long poles are placed 
in the ground which meet at their tops to within about 
two feet of each other. Over these awning, or roof is 
formed. In the centre of the lodge is a pole, which we 
call a meeting pole, or Me-day Wahtich. It has paint- 
ed on it a representation of the Great Spirit. The sides 
jf the lodge are covered with boughs or mats. The 
great medicine drum is boat for three days and nights 
previous to the time of worship. Those who have 
received their lectures for a year or more are 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 161 

brought and placed in the centre. The priest or chief 
medicine man, with powder in his hand, sings at one 
end of the lodge, a song. This concluded, he goes to 
the other side and repeats it. They then aim a blow 
at their student, who falls to the ground as though 
fainting, as well he might after such a lesson. The 
professor sings again : after which a spot is made in the 
centre of the subject's breast, where it is supposed the 
medicine shell entered. This shell, which the teacher 
is said to blow from himself to his student, and which 
he is told will remain with him during life, we call, Me- 
day-me-gis (shell). * 

In a short time the initiated are made to kneel before 
the Medicine Bag, which is held as sacred. Then a 
person comes near the kneeling man and opens a belt 
of wampum, or shells, from which he takes the line, 
an emblem of life ; one is crooked, the other straight. 
The various articles to be used are then opened and 
all explained. 

During the two days preceding this worship, great 
preparations are made. Children dress ; old and young 
are fantastically decorated with feathers, paints, and 
the skin of wild beasts. 

The privilege of joining in this worship is granted by 
the flder members. Some children are allowed to do 



162 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

♦o, though very young. When any are very sick, the 
ilders hold a consultation and propose that the sick 
person be initiated, as it is thought in this way they will 
receive the favor of the Great Spirit, and get better. — 
Generally, however, lectures are given for one or two 
years to the candidates for initiation, in which they are 
taught the responsibilities they are to assume. 

I believe this " Me-day Worship " is common among 
most of the Indian tribes in the West and North. It 
resembles in some particulars the secret societies, so 
called in the United States. Members of different tribes 
wlien they meet are admitted to the lodge, on their 
knowledge of it, even though their ignorance of the lan- 
guage of each other, renders it necessary to use signs in 
making it known. 

"V^Tiile the Medicine Worship is progressing, a little 
lodge is made near the other, where the chief man has 
in keeping all their medicine bags, songs, and emblem. 
In this lodge the preparatory lectures are given, as also 
when the initiation is over, the initiated is accepted with 
the songs they have learned. None of the uninitiated 
are allowed in it. 

Some years ago, a gentleman travelling in the Sioux 
Village, below St. Paul, was told by a waggish Indian 
to go in there and smoke with the old man. Sure 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 163 

enough, in he went, and as soon as he was seated, the 
tug of war came. One pulled his hat o/F; another 
pushed him out of the lodge, and when he asked for 
his hat, he found they had pushed that out in advance 
of him. Somewhat resolved upon having his own way, 
he again went in, or attempted to do so, when he was 
met at the entrance, thrown down, and in the scramble 
for his life and hat, surrendered the tail of his coat to 
an Indian lad, who very adroitly cut it oH'. He could 
not comprehend the meaning of such treatment imtil I 
explained it to him. He thought them rude. I thought 
so too — but he laughed over it, and finally turned it off 
by saying — " 'twas a good joke " — of which he was of- 
ten reminded when he examined the fit of his coat or 
the fur of his hat. 

The origin of the Indian's belief in this Medicine 
Worship is to be found in the following traditional sto- 
ry, which is usually related to any one when about to 
join the clan. I received it myself upon passing the 
mysterious ordeal. 

When Keshamonedoo made the red men, he made 
them happy. The men were larger, were fleeter on 
foot, were more dexterous in games, and lived to an 
older age than now. 

The foiest abounded with game, the trees were load- 



164 TRADITIONAL IlISTOUY OF 

cd with fruit, and birds who have now a black plum- 
age were dressed with pui'e white. The birds and the 
fowls ate no flesh, for the wide prairies were covered 
with fruits and vegetables. The fish in the waters were 
large. The Monedoo from heaven watched the blaze 
of the wigwams' fires^ and these were as countless as 
the stars in the sky. 

Strange visitants from heaven descended every few 
days, and inquired of the Indians whether any thing 
was wrong. Finding them happy and coiitented, they 
returned to their high homes. 

These were tutelar gods, and they consulted with 
the sages of the different villages, and advised all not 
to climb a vine which grew on the earth, and whose top 
reached the sky, as it was the ladder on which the spirits 
descended from heaven to *3arth, to bless the red men. 

One of these errand-spirits became intimate with one 
of the young braves, who dwelt in a cabin with his 
grandmother, and favored him with invitations to stroll 
with it among the various villages around. 

The favor shown by this god to the young man pro- 
duced a jealousy among his brethren, and during the 
absence of his distinguished friend, the favored one was 
much troubled by his neighbors, who envied him his 
situation. 



Tin: OJIBWAV NATION. 165 

On one occasion, when this persecution became intol- 
erable, he determined to leave his country, and, if pos- 
sible, accompany the spirit to the skies. 

The chief men had enjoined on all tlie duty to refrain 
from any desire or any attempt to ascend the vine 
whose branches reached the heavens, telling them that 
to do so would bring upon them severe penalties. 

The spirit finding the young man quite sad, inquired, 
learned the true cause of his sorrow, and taking him, 
reascended. 

The old woman cried for his return, " Noo-sis, be-ge- 
vvain, be-ge-wain." " My child, come back, come back !" 
He would not come home, and the woman having ad- 
justed all her matters in the lodge, after the nightfall 
repaired to the vine and began to ascend it. . 

In the morning the Indians found the lodge she had 
inhabited empty, and soon espied her climbing the vine. 
They shouted to her, '• Shay ! ah-wos be-ge-wain, 
mah-je-me-di — moo-ga-yiesh ! " " Hallo, come back, 
you old witch you." 

But she continued ascending, up — up — up. 

A council was held to determine what inducement 
could be made to her to return. They could hear her 
sobbing for her grandson. " Ne-gah-wah-bah-mah nos- 
sis." '• I will yet see my child." 



106 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

Consternation and fear filled the hearts of the Nation, 
for one of their number was disobeying the Great Spirit. 
Indignation and fury were seen in the acts of the war- 
riors, and the hght of the transgressor's burning wig- 
wam shed its lurid rays around. 

The woman was just rearing the top of the vine 
which was entwined around one of the stars of heaven, 
and about entering that place, when the vine broke, 
and down she came, with the broken vine, which had 
before been the ladder of communication between hea- 
ven and earth. 

The Nations, as they passed by her, as she sat in the 
midst of the ruin she had wrought, pushed her declin- 
ing head, saying, " Whah, ke nah mah dah bee mage 
men di moo ya yiesh." '• There you sit, you wicked 
old witch." 

Some kicked her, others dragged her by her hair,* 
and thus expressed their disapprobation. All who shall 
live after thee, shall call thee Equa (woman). 

The news of this disaster spread rapidly from village 
to village. Some numbers of men, women, and children 

* A lady of my acquaintance, quaintly remarked, when I related 
this story to her. " Yes, the gentleman have been doing that ever 



TUP. OJIHAVAY NATION. 1(>7 

were singularly affected. Some complained of pains in 
their heads, and others of pains in various parts of their 
bodies, Some were unable to walk, and others equally- 
unable to speak. 

They thought some of these fell asleep, for they 
knew not what death was. They had never seen its 
presence. 

A deep solemnity began its reign in all the villages. 
There was no more hunting, no more games, and no 
song was sung to soothe the sun to its evening rest. 

Ah, it was then a penalty followed transgression. 

Disease was the consequence of the breaking of the 
vine. Death followed. 

One day in the midst of their distress, they consulted 
each other to determine what could be done. None knew. 

They watched carefully for the descent of those be- 
ings who used to visit them — and at length they came. 
Each strove with eagerness to tell his story. They 
soon found that the strangers were silent and sad. — 
They asked the Nations what they wished to tell the 
Great Spirit in their distress. 

The first sent a petition that the vine might be re- 
placed between heaven and earth. 

The second sent that the Great Spirit might cause 
the disease to leave tliem. 



168 'lllADITIONAL HKSTOllV OH' 

The third sent a petition to have the old woman kill- 
ed, since she was the cause of so much distress. 

The fourth desired that the Great Spirit woulii give 
tliem a great deal of game. 

The fifth, and last, that the Great Spirit would send 
them that which would calm and relieve them in distress. 

After they had heard these, the strangers left, telling 
the Indians to wait, and they should know what the 
Great Spirit should say to each of the petitioners. 

Each day of their absence seemed a month. At 
length they came, and gathered near the eager people 
They told them that they must die, as the vine that 
had connected earth to heaven w^as broken ; but the 
Great Spirit has sent us to release you, and to tell you 
what you must do hereafter. 

The strangers then gathered up all the flowers from 
the plains, river and lake sides; and after drying them 
on their hands, blew the leaves with their breath, and 
they were scattered all over the earth, — wherever they 
fell, they sprang up and became herbs to cure all disease. 
The Indians instituted a dance, and with it a mode 
of worship. These few, there met, were the first who 
composed a Medicine Lodge : they received their char- 
ter from the Great Spirit, and thus originated the 
" Medicine Worship." 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 10? 

The strangers gave them these words, and then left 

" There is not a flower that buds, however small, 
that is not for some wise purpose. 

There is not a blade of grass, however insignificant, 
that the Indian does not require. 

Learning this, and acting in accordance with these 
truths, will work out your own good, and will please 
the Great Spirit." 

The above is universally believed by the North West 
Indians as the origin of Disease and Death, and the 
foundation of the Medicine Worship. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

THE OJIBWAY OR CHIPPEWA RESIDENTS OP 
CANADA WEST. 

The Ojibway Nation now occupies land within the 
bounds of two Governments, — the American and the 
British. The entire, according to Drake, in 1842, was 
thirty thousand, which is not far from the truth. The 
best work upon the Indians of North America, is that 
deservedly popular book written by Col. McKinney, of 
New- York, a gentleman of extensive information, and 
an undoubted friend of the red man. 

That part of the Nation occupying territory within 
the United States, inhabit all the Northern part of Michi- 
gan, or the South shore of Lake Huron ; the whole 
Northern portion of Wisconsin Territory ; all the South 
shore of Lake Superior, for eight hundred miles ; the 
upper part of the Mississippi, and Sandy, Leach, and 
Red Lakes. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 171 

Those of the Nation Hving within the British posses 
sions, occupy from Gononaque, below Kingston ; all 
Western Canada ; the North of Lake Huron ; the North 
of Lake Superior ; the North of Lake Winepeg ; and 
the North of Red River Lake, about one hundred miles. 
The whole extent comprises over one thousand nine 
hundred miles East and West ; and from two to three 
hundred miles North and South. 

There are about five thousand in the British domin- 
ions. In the United States there are about twenty-five 
thousand ; of whom about five thousand receive reli- 
gious instruction, from missionaries sent by Societies in 
the States and the Canadas. 

The first Mission among them was commenced by 
the Methodists at Credit River, in Canada West, in 
1824, which was followed by a second Mission at Grape 
Island in 1827. 

The conversion of some Ojibways speedily followed 
the introduction of Christianity. Many of these were 
sent as native teachers to their brethren in the West. 

In 1847, there were twenty-three Methodist Mission- 
ary Stations, six of which were in the States, the re- 
mainder in Canada. There were four Presbyterian 
Missions, all of which were within the States ; viz, \ 
La Pointe, Bad River, Leach Lake, and Ptcd Lake. — 



172 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

There were seven Episcopalian Mission Stations, six of 
which were in Canada and one in the United States. 
Two Baptist Mission Stations ; one at Sault St. Marie, 
the other at Green Bay. The Roman Cathohcs had 
Missionaries in nearly all of the principal places. 

Numbers are not under religious instruction, though 
easily accessible, and are wandering about without tJie 
restraints and privileges of the gospel. All around the 
shores of Lake Superior are bands of Indians who have, 
time after time, called for Missionaries. The Hudson 
Bay Company adopted a plan which, in my opinion, 
did them much credit, by the operation of which instruc- 
tions were given to the Indians and their children, in 
the principles of Christianity. 

Many persons once belonging to other Nations now 
live with the Ojibways, and conform to their habits and 
customs. 

The present state of the Ojibways renders them fully 
ripe and ready for great advancement in religion, litera- 
ture, and the arts and sciences of civilized life. Multi- 
tudes have left their wigwams, their woods, and the 
attractive chase, and are now endeavoring to tread in 
the footsteps of worthy white men. 

One reason for this change is this — the Chiefs see the 
n?«c^33ity of making a " smootli. straight path for their 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 173 

children." and are appropriating as much of their means 
as they can spare towards doing so. 

Another is that the rising generation have imbibed a 
thirst for learning, and are cultivating a decided taste 
for improvement in all its branches. 

Native teachers being among the people, preaching in 
their own language, ' Christ and Him crucified,' is a 
means exceeding all others in their elevation. 

The prospects of the Nation have been made brighter 
through the instrumentality of Missionary effort. Many 
of the Indians residing in Wisconsin, Lake du Flam- 
beau, the South shore of Lake Superior, and about Wine- 
peg and Red Lakes, have repeatedly requested Mission- 
aries to be sent among them. And these need good 
teachers, for about the Western part of Red Lake are 
indeed " the habitations of cruelty." The Chippewas 
and Siouxs are always at war with each other ; the 
hatred engendered five hundred years ago seems to 
have lost none of its bitterness. 

I will in this place give an account of the Mission 
Stations in 1842, for which I am mostly indebted to an 
able report made by Commissioners appointed by Pro. 
vincial Parliament about that time. 



174 TRADITIONAL HJSTOllY OF 

CHIPPEWAS OF THE RIVER THAMES. 

JOHN RILEY, CHIEF. 

These, together with the Mimsees, occupied a tract 
of land containing about nine thousand acres, in the 
township of Caradoc, within the London District, at a 
distance of about twenty-five miles from the Moravian 
Village. It had been only about ten years since their 
being reclaimed from a wandering life, and settled at 
this place. Since 1800, the Munsees had been settled 
on land belonging to the Chippewas, having received 
the consent of the Chippewas to locate there. The 
Chippewas numbered three hundred and seventy-eight ; 
the Mmisees two hundred and forty-two. They were 
not collected in a village, but lived on small farms, scat- 
tered over their tract. Some of the Chippewas culti- 
vated lots of twenty acres each. Thi^ tribe occupied 
seventy-six log houses, six wigwams and twenty-five 
barns ; and had four hundred and fifty acres of land under 
good cultiration. Their stock consisted of about six 
hundred head. They had a fanning mill, a blacksmith's 
shop, and a moderate supply of agricultural tools. 

THE CHIPPEWAS AT AMHERSTBURQ. 

These all professed Christianity, and many of them 
were examples of true piety. The majority were Wes- 



THE OJIKWAY NATION. 175 

Icyan Methodists ; the minority Romanists. They had 
no place of worship of their own, though they had the 
means to erect one had they desired to do so. The In- 
dian settlement is about three miles from the town of 
Amherstburg. The Methodist minister stationed at Am- 
herstburg, visited those of his persuasion among the In- 
dians, every Sabbath day, and by the aid of an Interpre- 
ter preached, read and expounded the scriptures to them. 
They held a general prayer meeting once a fortnight, 
and frequent and private meetings for social worship. 
Many of them maintained family worship. The Ro- 
man Catholics worshipped in a chapel at Amherstburg. 
There were no schools among them ; but they had 
expressed a desire to have one established. Persons 
capable of judging, thought the children no way inferior 
to those of the whites in their ability to acquire know- 
ledge. 

CHIPPEWAS OP THE ST. CLAIR. 

WA-WA-NOSH, AND SALT, CHIEFS. 

These Indians were among the first whom Sir John 
Colborne endeavored to settle and civilize. Previous to 
1830, they were wandering heathen, like their brethren 
elsewhere, scattered over the Western part of the Upper 
Province ; they were drunken and dissipated in their 



176 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

habits and without rehgious or moral restraint. In 
1830-31 J a number of them were collected on a Reserve 
in the township of Sarnia, near the head of the River 
St. Clair, containing over ten thousand acres. A num- 
ber of houses were built for them, and an officer was 
appointed to superintend the settlement. 

Their conversion to Christianity and their progress 
in religious knowledge, and in the acquisition of sober, 
orderly and industrious habits, had been, under the care 
of the Wesleyan Methodist Society, both rapid and uni- 
form. From the formation of the Mission to that time, 
(1842) two hundred and twenty-one adults, and two 
hundred and thirty-nine children had been baptized and 
admitted into the community. 

In 1840, the total number at this Mission did not ex- 
ceed three hundred and fifty ; but an increase soon fol- 
lowed, owing to the emigration from Saginaw Bay, 
Michigan, and the settlement of wandering Indians — 
and at the time of the Commissioners' report, the num- 
ber was seven hundred and forty-one. 

Tlie Indians of River Aux Sables had about sixty 
acres unrler improvement, and one log house. Tliose 
at Kettle Point, twenty acres and two log houses. The 
land on the Upper Reserve had been regularly surveyed 
and In id out in fnrm lots. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 177 

The Chief, with the approval of the Superintendent, 
placed most of the occupants on these lands ; but it 
was not indispensable that he should be consulted, as 
the members of the tribe had the liberty to choose any- 
unoccupied spot, and improve it as their own. When 
once in possession, they were secured against intrusion, ' 
but drunkenness or other ill conduct made them subject 
to the Chief, who had power to expel them from the 
Reserve. 

CHIPPEWAS AT WALPOLE ISLAND. 

These Indians are also known by the name of " the 
Chippewas of Chenaille Ecarte." Those who have for 
an indefinite length of time hunted over the waste lands 
about Chenaille Ecarte and Bear Creek, are a branch 
of the Nation settled in Sarnia, and are sharers of the 
same annuity. 

The Pottawatamies emigrated from the States. The 
settlement at Walpole Island was commenced at the 
close of the American war, when Col. McKie, called by 
the Indians " White Elk," collected and placed upon 
the Island which lies at the junction of the River and 
the Lake St. Clair, the scattered Indians of certain 
tribes of Chippewas who had fought on the British side. 
Being left for a number of years without any interfer- 



178 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

ence or assistance on the part of the govemmentj they 
became a prey to the profligate whites settled on the 
frontier, who, by various frauds, and in moments of in- 
toxication, obtained leases and valuable portions of the 
Island. 

CHIPPEWAS OF THE RIVER CREDIT 
J. SA\\rrER fc F. JONES, CHIEFS. 

These were a remnant of a tribe which formerly pos- 
sessed a considerable portion of the Home and the Gore 
Districts, of which m 1818, they surrendered the greater 
part, for an annuity of £532.10, reserving only certain 
small tracts at the River Credit, and at Sixteen and 
Twelve Mill Creeks. They composed the first tribe 
converted to Christianity in Upper Canada. 

Previous to 1823, they were wandering pagans. In 
that year, Messrs. Peter and John Jones, the sons of a 
white Surveyor, and a Mississaga woman, having been 
converted to Christianity, and admitted members of the 
Wesleyan Methodist Church, became anxious to redeem 
tlieir countrymen from their degraded state of heathen- 
ism and destitution. They accordingly collected a con- 
siderable number together, and by rote and frequent 
repetitions, taught the first principles of Christianity to 
the adults, who were too far advanced in years to learn 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 179 

to read and write. In this manner they committed to 
memory the Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Com- 
mandments. As soon as the tribes were converted, they 
perceived the evils attendant on their former state of 
ignorance and vagrancy. They began to work, which 
they had not previously done, and recognized the ad- 
vantage of cultivating the soil ; they totally gave up 
drinking, to which they had been greatly addicted, and 
became sober, industrious, and consistent Christians. 

THE CHIPPEWAS OF ALNWICK. 
SUNDAY & SIMPSON, CHIEFS. 

These Indians became converts to Christianity in the 
years 1826 — 1827. Previous to those years they were 
pagans, wandering in the neighborhood of Belville, 
Kingston, and Gananoque, and were known by the 
name of " the Mississagas of the Bay of Q,uinte." In 
the years referred to, two or three hundred were received 
into the Wesleyan Methodist Church, and settled on 
Grape Island, in the Bay of Q^uinte, six miles from Bel- 
ville. On this island they resided eleven years, sub- 
sisting by agriculture and hunting. Their houses were 
erected partly by their own labor and partly at the ex- 
pense of the Methodist Mission Society. Theynumbered 
twenty-three : besides which they had a commodious 



ISO TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

building for religious service and school, a room for an 
infant school, a hospital, and several mechanical estab- 
lishments. 

CHIPPEWAS AT RICE LAKE. 

POUDASH, COP WAY & CROW, CHIEFS. 

These settlers belong to the same tribe, the Mississa- 
gas, or Chippewas of Rice Lake, who, in 1818, surren- 
dered the greater part of the tract now forming the New- 
castle District, for an annuity of £740. They have 
been reclauned from their primitive wandering life, and 
settled in their present locations within the last ten or 
twelve years. 

The Rice Lake Settlement is on the Northern side of 
the Lake, about twelve miles from Peterborough. The 
number of Indians was one hundred and fourteen. — 
They possessed about fifteen hundred acres of land, 
which were divided into lots of fifty acres each ; of 
these eleven hundred and twenty acres were granted in 
April, 1834, to trustees, who were "to hold the same for 
the benefit of the Indian tribes in the Province, with a 
view to their conversion and .civilization." The re- 
maining four hundred and thirty were afterwards pur- 
chased by them with their own funds. They had 
rather more land cleared than had the Indians of Aln- 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 181 

wick. — about four hundred acres ; but the cuhivation 
was not so good. The village contained thirty houses, 
a number of barns, a school house, and a chapel, to 
which was a bell. At this village the head Chief re- 
sided. For some time these Indians were under the 
charge of an officer appointed by the Indian Depart- 
ment, who assisted in their settlement, but at the time 
of the report they had no special Superintendent. 

CHIPPEWAS AT MUD LAKE. 

NOGEE, IRON ic MCRUE, CHIEFS. 

The Mud Lake Indians were settled on a point of 
land on the Mud or Chemung Lake, sixteen miles 
Northwest of Peterborough. They were ninety-four 
in number, — possessed twenty dwelling houses, with 
three stables — and occupied a grant of sixteen hundred 
acres in the township of Smith, made to the New Eng- 
land Company for their benefit, in April, 1837, of which 
two hundred acres were well improved. 

These Indians were for some time under the manage- 
ment of the late Mr. Scott, an agent for the New Eng 
land Company, and were members of the Wesleyan 
Methodist Church. A chapel was in progress of erec- 
tion at the village, where there was at the time a Mis 
sion-house and a school. 



182 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

CHIPPEWAS AT BALSAM LAKE. 

CRANE, CHIEF. 

The In('.ians of Balsam Lake, numbering ninety, 
were settled within the Township of Bexley, on a point 
of land jutting out into Lake Balsam, which is the most 
Northerly of the chain of Lakes, running Northwest 
across the back townships of the district of New Castle. 
The reserve which was granted to them by the Eug- 
lish government, comprised twelve hundred and six 
acres. Of these, two hundred were cultivated. The 
village was small ; composed of about a dozen houses, 
with out-buildings and a commodious school-house, in 
which divine service was performed by a resident Meth- 
odist Missionary. 

In 1843 these Indians became dissatisfied with the 
climate, and with the quality of the land at Balsam 
Lake, and purchased six hundred acres on the banks of 
Lake ScugDg, and were making preparations to remove 
from their old settlement to their new locality. This vol- 
unteer movement of theirs evinced how rapid an improve- 
ment was going on in their minds ; and showed that 
the spirit of enterprise existed among them, inasmuch 
as it was made on account of the superiority of the land 
near Lake Scugog for agricultural purposes. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 183 

CHIPPEWAS OF RAMA. 

TELLOWHEAD, NA-NAH-GE-SKUNG & BIG SHILLING, CHIEFS. 

These Indians formerly occupied the lands about 
Lake Simcoe, Holland River, and the unsettled country 
in the rear of the Home District. 

General Darling reported of them in 1828, that they 
had a strong desire to be admitted into the ranks of 
Christian people, and to adopt the habits of civilized 
life ; and that in these respects they might be classed 
with the Mississagas of the Bay of duinte and Rice 
Lake, but were at that time in a more savage state. 

In 1830, Lieutenant Governor Sir J. Colborne collect- 
ed them on a tract of land on the Northwest shore of 
Lake Simcoe, where they cleared a road from that lake 
to Lake Huron. This tract numbered nearly ten thou- 
sand acres. They consisted of three tribes of Chippe- 
was, under Chiefs Yellowhead, Aisance, and Snake ; 
and a band of Pottawatomies, from Drummond Island ; 
their number was about five hundred, imder the care of 
Mr. Anderson, who was appointed to take charge of 
their settlement. They made a rapid advancement. 



184 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

CHIPPEWAS OF BEAUSOLIEL ISLAND, MATCHADASH 
BAY, LAKE HURON. 

AISANCE & JAMES KA-DAH-GE-GWON, CfflEFS. 

This band was the same which was settled by Sii 
John Colborne, at Cold Water. Their village, which 
was not far from their former settlement, was commenc- 
ed in 1841. It contained nearly twenty houses. The 
settlers numbered two hmidred and thirty-two ; and 
had under their own cultivation one hundred acres of 
land. 

The majority of these Indians were Roman Catholics. 
They had no place for worship or school. The Ro- 
man Catholic priest of Penetanguishene made them 
occasional visits. 

CHIPPEWAS OF SNAKE ISLAND, LAKE SIMCOE. 
J. SNAKE, CHIEF. 

This body of Indians was one of the three bands 
established at Cold "Water and the Narrows, and separ 
ated from them on the abandonment of those settlements. 

In 1842 they occupied one of the three Islands on 
Lake Simcoe, which had been set apart for the tribe 
many years previous. They were over one hundred in 



THE OJIBWAV NATION. 183 

number, and occupied twelve dwelling houses. They 
had other buildings, and a school-house. The children 
were instructed by a respectable teacher, and Divine 
".ervice was conducted by a resident Missionary of the 
Methodist persuation. 

They had about one hundred and fifty acres under 
cultivation, and were rapidly improving in habits of in- 
dustry and agricultural skill. 

Their Missionary, who had been acquainted with 
them for about three years, stated that the majority of 
them were strictly moral in their character, — that most 
of the adults were decidedly pious — and that many of 
them for consistency of character, would not sufter by 
a comparison with white Christians of any denomina- 
tion. 

CHIPPEWAS OF SANGEEN (laKE HUROn). 
i. METEGOUB, ALEXANDER & AH-Y A H-B A N C E, CHIEFS. 

It was from these Indians, and their brethren, since 
settled at Owen's Sound, that Sir Francis Head, in 
1836, obtained a surrender of a vast tract of land lying 
North of the London and Gore Districts, and between 
the Home District and Lake Huron, containing one 
million six hundred thousand acres. He reserved at 



186 'JRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

the same time, for the Indians, the extensive peninsula, 
lying between Lake Huron and Georgian Bay, North 
of Owen's Sound, and supposed to contain four hundred 
and fifty thousand acres. 

CHIPPEWAS OF BIG BAY, IN OWEN's SOUND, LAKE 
HURON. 

JOHN JONES & WAH-BAH-DEICK, CHIEFS. 

These Indians were formerly either wanderers in 
the Sangeeng tract, surrendered by Sir Francis Head, or 
lived in scattered wigwams on the shores of Big Bay. 
An agreement was then made with them, by which it 
was proposed that they should either repair to IManiton- 
lin, or to that part of their former territory which lies 
North of Owen's Sound ; upon complying with which, 
it was promised, " that houses should be built for them, 
and proper assistance given to enable them to become 
civilized and cultivate the land." 

CHIPPEWAS AND OTHERS, IN THE TOWNSHIP OF 
BEDFORD. 

Within a lew years previous to 1842, some strag- 
glers from the Rice Lake tribe had settled in the town- 
ship of Bedford, about twenty-five miles North of the 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 187 

town of Kingston. About that year they were joined by 
a band of eighty-one Indians from Lower Canada, be- 
longing to the part of the '- Lake of Two Moimtains." 

By instructions issued in 1843, these Indians were 
transferred from the Roll of Lower Canada to that of 
the Upper Province, and in the course of that year they 
received their annual Government presents for the first 
time in that Province. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

MISSIONS AND IMPROVEMEMS. 

The Mission of the Episcopal Church at the Sault 
St. Marie, was given up soon after the Rev. Mr. Murray- 
left the country, on account of the removal of the In- 
dians from their town to an Island m Lake Huron, by- 
order of Sir Francis Broadhead. 

This dignitary gained notoriety among the Indians 
and the whites of Canada, on account of his attempt to 
remove the Indians to " a lone barren isle," where those 
who did go suffered greatly by the bleak winds of the 
lake. 

The soil, what there was of it, was not good enough 
to raise potatoes, or any vegetables for their support, — 
its chief productions being large rocks and small 
stones. 

Mr. Murray, it appears, was a man of untiring ener- 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 189 

gy and perseverance. He labored for a number of 
years as a devoted Missionary, and was finally obliged 
to leave by the impolitic acts of government. 

In the month of September, 1834, 1 had the pleasure 
of seeing this gentleman. He was reading an account 
of his labors to a crowded auditory of Indians, who lis- 
tened with deep, unfeigned interest, to the relation of 
the improvements they had made under the care of 
" the good white man." 

One of the most distinguished individuals of the Ojib- 
was, is Shin-^icah-koonce. He is a Chief of much 
celebrity, — noted for his bravery, activity, and persever- 
ance. His person is a little above the medium size, and 
well proportioned. His head well formed ; and, to a 
phrenological eye, pleasing. His general appearance is 
highly commanding. 

He fought with the British during the last war. and 
was engaged at the storming of Mackanaw, and at the 
battle of Chippeway. It is said that he retains numer- 
ous scars, and such like mementoes of the war of 1822. 

The Indians who then lived on the English side of 
Sault St. Marie, have removed to Manetowahning, on the 
North shore of Lake Huron, where a Mission has been 
established by the Episcopal Church. There are also 
Pvoman CathoUcs on the Island. They are by far 



190 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

the most nimierous of the Missionaries among the 
Ojibways. 

The Methodists have estabhshed their Missions at the 
Nortliwest end of Lake Superior. 

Fort William is one of the fortresses of the Hudson 
Bay Company. One of the young men who was edu- 
cated in Cazenovia, is now the principal minister there. 
His name is Henry Steinhaux, and he is doing a good 
work in teaching school and acting in the capacity of 
Missionary to the Indians of that place. 

Norway House is another place in the interior of the 
country J towards the water of the Red River, where 
there is a Mission. Peter Jacobs is the most eflicient 
laborer in that country. He has been for a long time 
very zealously engaged in teaching his less fortunate 
brethren the first rudiments of education. 

A very amusing story is told of Peter Jacobs, the in- 
cidents of which occurred at a camp meeting near Bel- 
ville, about the year 1828. 

I must mention that, during the previous summer, 
several hundred had embraced Christianity. Peter atten- 
ded the meeting following this conversion. The white 
people also attended the meeting, and so universal was 
the diffusion of the Good Spirit, that the pale face and 
the red man knelt together in prayer to that Great Being 



TfH: OJIBWAY NATION. 191 

who makes no distinction, but between good and evil. 
The ground was covered with people in a devotional 
attitude. Peter knelt ^vith them. His companions 
were in ecstacies with the presence of Divine favor. — 
Peter soon learned the fact that the Great Spirit despis- 
ed not even the trembling prayer of the forest child. 

Springing upon his feet in an instant, he mounted 
one of the -benches, and waved his hand to the vast 
concourse of people. He then spoke rapidly, eloquently, 
and feelingly, as follows : 

'• The Great Spirit has blest Peter the orphan boy. — 
He no tell lies. He says He love me. That good man 
say, (pointing to the preacher,) Jesus died for every one. 
How happy, happy now ! My father, mother, gone ; 
they drank fire-water, (turning to some of the traders, 
who were at this moment as attentive as the rest). You 
did not give the Indian blessed Bible ; you cheated poor 
Indian for his furs. You kill my people. What will 
the Great Spirit say when he come ? He will tell you 
— ' You give poor Indian fire-water : you kept the Bible 
from poor Indian, long, long time. Yoii big rascal go 
to Hell.'' That is what he will say to you." 

Peter sat down, while the biggest tradesman trembled 
in his shoes. 

The meeting was held near the Bay of Quinte, in 



11):^ TRADITIONAL HiSTUilV t>F 

Adolphustown. The above incident in Peter's early 
experience, was related to nie by a gentleman, now liv- 
ing near the place. 

Lately Peter went to England, and created consider- 
able interest in behalf of the Northwest Indians, among 
whom he is now laboring. 

' The Wesleyan Methodist Missions in the interior, are 
now altogether supported by the Hudson Bay Company. 
It has become a well known fact, that, when the Indians 
are under the influence of Christian Missionaries, the 
Company have less trouble with individuals in the 
course of trade. Indians thus instructed, are becoming 
good farmers and support themselves by labor. 

The Hudson Bay Company discountenance the use 
of fire-water in all the country they occupy. But re- 
cently, during the mining operations on the North shore 
of Lake Superior, liquor has been introduced. 

The Indian population of Canada have ever mani- 
fested a strong friendly feeling towards the British gov- 
ernment. 

In former years, the American governors were more 
kindly disposed to us than they have been of late, yet 
the name of " Children" is applied to us. The govern- 
ment and its agents style us, "My Children." The 
Indians are of age — and believe they can think and act 



THK OJinWAY NATIOX. 193 

for themselves. The term. " My Children," comes with 
an ill grace from those who seem bent on driving them 
from their fathers' house. 

As y^'t, the Ojibway Nation in Canada West, 
hav) not to my knowledge received any encouragement 
pecuniarily from the government for education. What 
they have attained has been received by their own ef- 
forts. I remember several years ago of being sent to 
the then Governor of the Province, in Montreal, for aid 
in oar school. All that we received was a nod — which 
our gracious father deigned to give. 

It is more provoking now with its, since we have 
suffered in name from the acts of the last war, with the 
British and the Americans. Our fathers fought for the 
British during these struggles. Now, since these are 
passed we have been left to ourselves, — and until the 
government require our services, shall remain uncared 
for. Your British subjects may say, ' Do we not give 
you blankets, and clothe you and your children V But 
what amount of land has not our people given to the 
government since they became so poor ? 

And if the benevolent of the United States had not 
given us education, many of us would have been still 
wandering in the woods of Canada without the means 
of religious education. We don't want merely blankets 



I'Ji TllADITlONAL IlIrfTORV OF 

to cover tlie body, — we want Light ! We want Edu- 
cation ! 

For several years I have been denied receiving any 
presents from the British government, — consisting of a 
blanket, a shirt, and leggins — because I had been too 
much ivith the Americans^ the enemies of the British 
government. I would rather never see a blanket again. 
Think how small for a man to be bought with a 
blanket ! 

The whole of the Indian population of Canada West 
is improving rapidly. The bands are miiting, and will 
not in future be so isolated as formerly. 

The writer in 1844 and 1845, endeavored to convince 
his brethren of many advantages they would derive 
by being in large commmiities. Through his influence 
the Chiefs of Owen's Sound, and Sahageeng, made their 
oifer to the scattered bands of Indians throughout the 
Western country. 

At the General Council, to which allusion was made 
in a previous chapter, it was suggested that a meethig 
of the smaU villages be made at the following places — 
Rijce Lake, in New Castle District; in Muncytown, 
liOndon District ; and in Owen's Sound Bay^ in the 
Elastern part of Lake Huron. 

This meeting the Indians have already commenced. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 195 

S«yeial villages have been abandoned, and their tenants 
departed to the places above specified. 

In the winter seasons sleigh rides are popular, and 
visits to neighboring tribes, in large bodies, are quite 
frequent. 

Christmas and New Year's dinners are, with the Ojib- 
ways, occasions of much merriment. 

The village of Alnvvich is one side of the Lake, and 
that of Rice Lake opposite. The distance between 
them is about seven miles. Chief John Sandy orders 
his warriors to give a dinner to the other tribe on Christ- 
mas — and they in return give a dinner to Sandy's tribe 
on New Year's day. 

In 1848, I was present, at my father's village, Rice 
Lake, when one of these dinners took place. In point 
of order, social mirth, and real enjoyment, it was equal 
to any aldermanic festivity among the whites. 

M 



CHAPTER XV. 

THE EARLY DISCOVERY OF THE NORTHWEST — THE 
FIRST TRADERS AND ADVENTURERS. 

The early discovery of the Northwest has been a 
subject of considerable interest — and as there is nnich 
valuable information in the following, which we take 
from one of the Minesota Territory papers, prepared by 
the ^ev. Edward D. Neill, the research which is here 
found will be apparent. If the missionary field was 
blessed with more such men, it would augment its in- 
terests in the mind of the literary world. It is to be 
hoped that he will continue to give such information 
from time to time for the general good. 

" The journals of the first missionaries to the Hurons 
were perused with like enthusiasm by the kings, queens, 
statesmen, merchants, artizans, and peasants of Papal 
Europe. The lovers of romance wept freely over the 
suircrinirs of ihc prir.sls, and the reix)rted conversion of 



THE OJIBWAV NATIUN. 197 

SO many to the faith. The enterprizing merchant 
encouraged the missions that were opening so many 
new avenues of trade. 

Before proceeding to a sketch of the explorers and 
explorations in Minesota during the seventeenth century, 
let us rapidly glance at the progress of discovery in the 
countries adjacent. As early as 1634. the Indians had 
learned to bring their furs to Quebec, and received 
European manufactures in exchange. In September of 
that year, two priests, Breboeuf and Daniel, determined 
to accompany a party of Hurons to their forest home, 
and teach them the doctrines of the Christian religion. 
They were the first Europeans that erected a house in 
the neighborhood of Lake Huron. 

Seven years after, a bark canoe, containing pries*:* of 
the same order, passed through the river Ottawa, and 
coasted along the shores of Lake Huron, to visit, by in 
vitation, the Ojibways, at the outlet of Lake Superior. 
After a voyage of seventeen days, they arrived at the 
Falls of St. Mary, where they found assembled two 
thousand of that tribe, who now dwell in the North- 
eastern portion of our Teri'itory. 

While here, they obtained much information, calcula- 
ted to inflame the zeal of the Society of Jesus, and their 
patrons in pjurope. Here, tor the first time, civilized 



198 TRADITIONAL HISTORY Ol? 

man learned tliat the Nation of Dakotas, amid whose 
lodges we reside, was in existence. The Ojibways in- 
formed the missionaries that the Dakotas lived eighteen 
days' journey farther to the West. 

Thus, says Brancroft, in his eloquent chapter on 
Jesuit Missions, ^ did the religious zeal of the French, 
bear the cross to the banks of the St. Mary, and the 
confines of Lake Superior, and look wistfully toward 
the home of the Sioux in the Valley of the Mississippi, 
five years before the apostle Eliot had addressed the 
tribe of Indians that dwelt within six miles of Boston 
Harbor.' 

Either accompanying the missionary, devoted to a 
hfe of poverty, or in his immediate rear, followed the 
trader, devoted to a life of gain ; so that a chapel was 
hardly surmounted with a cross, before a trading house 
stood by its side. In the year 1654, two adventurous 
young men, connected with the fur trade, followed a 
party of Indians in their hunting excursions for two 
years, and were probably the first white men that ever 
penetrated the Dakota country. 

Upon their return to Quebec, they gave such glowing 
accounts of the lands they had seen, tlie lakes they had 
crossed, the Nations they had become acquainted with, 
among whuin were the Sioux or Dakotas, that both 



THK OJinWAV NATION. 1^19 

trader and ecclesiastic burned with desire to go np and 
possess the land. Even tiie Bishop of Quebec was 
ready to be the pioneer in planting the symbol of his 
faith among the newly discovered tribes. But it was 
at length decided that the aged Mesnard, who had ob- 
tained dearly purchased experience among the Indians 
of Western New- York, should carry the religion of 
Rome to the shoifes of Lake Superior. AYith an ardor 
that every one must admire, he loitered not after his 
appointment, but leaving the pleasant society of his 
associates, he pushed onward to his field of labor, to use 
his own language, trusting ' in the Providence which 
feeds the little birds of the desert, and clothes the wild 
flowers of the forest,' and expecting tliat his friends 
would shortly add him ' to the memento of deaths.' 

Hoping against hope, he reached the shores of Supe- 
rior in safety. After residing on the Southern shore of 
the Lake about eight months, he started on a journey 
for the Bay of Che-goi-me-gon. But one person accom- 
panied him, and while his companion was making, as 
it is supposed, what is called the Keweena Portage, 
Mesnard was lost in the forest. Whether he died from 
starvation, exposure, or the tomahaAvk, has never been 
discovered. There is a tradition that his cassock and 
pra^^er book were kept as amulets for many years by 



200 TRADITIONAL HI.-3T0RY OP 

the Dakotas. The melancholy disappearance of this 
aged soldier of the church, did not deter Claude AUouez, 
also a Jesuit, from visiting the shores of Lake Superior, 
in the year 1665. 

At that early date, there were rumors that there was 
a large mass of copper on the Southern shore, but his 
search for it was unavailing. Pushing beyond Ontan- 
agon, the adventurous man did not stop until he reach- 
ed the Island of La Pointe, the ancient residence of the 
Ojibways, who were then as often times now, planning 
a war party against their enemies, the Dakotas. He 
then must be regarded as the first white man of whom 
we have authentic account, who first trod the soil on 
the confines of Minesota. According to the Ojibway 
tradition, the first white men at La Pointe were traders, 
who had been confined by the ice, and were found in a 
starving condition, eating their cloth and blankets. Yet, 
that priests were here at a very early period, is very 
certain from the fact that a small silver crucifix of 
antique workmanship, has been lately ploughed up in 
that vicinity. At that period the territory of the Dakotas 
extended quite to the shores of Superior ; and AUouez 
in his intercourse with them, was the first to learn ot 
the existence of a great river which he calls the 'Messipi.' 

I)uiii)ir his two years residence in the Northwest, he 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 201 

founded the Mission of the Holy Spirit, and passed his 
time in teaching the Ojibways the ' Pater Noster' and 
'Ave Maria ;' in endeavoring to awaken their shunber- 
ing consciences by pictures of hell and the judgment 
day, and in obtaining information from the Sioux or 
Dakota Nation. 

His labors were so successful, that he returned to 
Ctuebec to solicit assistants, but his heart remained with 
the Ojibways, and in two days he was on his return 
route, accompanied by a fellow-laborer, named Nicolas. 

In 1668 he was cheered by the arrival of two others, 
named Dablon and Marquette, the latter of whom was 
destined to become known by posterity. 

Marquette, during his missionary tours in the vicinity 
of Lake Superior, had heard so much of the ' great river 
Messipi,' that he determined to take the first favorable 
opportunity to discover it. 

On the 10th of July, 1673, in company with a French 
Envoy, and five others, they left the Mission at Green 
Bay, ascended the Fox River, made a portage, and de- 
scended the Wisconsin. After paddling the birch canoes 
for seven days, without meeting man or beast, they 
reached its mouth and floated on the bosom of the 
* Father of Waters.' Fearing nothing, excited by the 
very danger of the adventure. 



202 TKADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

' Day after day (hey glicU-d adown the turbulent river; 

Night after night, by their blazing fires, encamped on iis borders. 

Now through rushing chutes, among green islands where plume-like 

Cotton-trees nodded their shadowy crests, they swept with the currentj 

Then emerged into broad lagoons, where silvery sand-bars 

Lay in the stream, and along the rippling waves of their margin, 

Shining with snow white plumes, large flocks ot pelicans waded. 

They were approaching the region where reigns perpetual summer.* 

Nor did they cease descending, until they left the 
Wisconsin eleven hundred miles above them. -Return- 
ing by the way of the Illinois river to Chicago, they 
proceeded by Lake Michigan to Green Bay, where they 
arrived about the last of September. This voyage ex- 
cited much conversation and speculation, in old as well 
as new France. 

At this time there dwelt in Canada, a native of Rouen, 
named La Salle, who not only possessed an adventu- 
rous disposition, but was also a man of foresight, deter- 
mination, and finished education. While a student at 
a Jesuit College in France, he was distinguished for his 
proficiency in mathematics. 

At the time of Marquette's return from the Mississ- 
ippi, he was living at his trading post at the junction of 
the St. Lawrence with Lake Ontario, where the town 
Df Kingston stands. Around Fort Frontenac, foi that 
was the name of the post, there were gathered a few 
French families and priests. 



THE OJIRW.IY NATION. 2U3 

The more La Salle dwelt upon the discovery of Mar- 
quette and Joliet, the greater his eagerness to complete 
what had been commenced, and to discover what he 
believed to exist, a short route to China and Japan from 
the head waters of the Mississippi. To obtain the 
patronage of Louis XIV., he sailed for France, and in 
the year 1678 received permission to make discoveries 
in the Western part of New France, to build forts 
wherever they were necessary, and the exclusive right 
to the trade in Buffalo skins, which were just beginning 
to be known and valued in Europe. 

Among the priests at Frontenac, was a native of 
Flanders, a Franciscan of the meditative order, styled 
Recollect. From early life, he evinced a roving dispo- 
sition, and the stories of the sailors who used to enter 
the harbors of Calais and Dunkirk, where he had re- 
sided, are said to have created a strong desire in him 
to see the new world. 

His name was Louis Hennepin ; vain, boasting, and 
ambitious, he suffers by comparison with the meek, un- 
■)stentatious, and comparatively truthful Marquette. — 
While La Salle was absent, the Franciscan passed his 
time in missionary tours among the Iroquois, and is 
said to have visited the present capital of the State of 
New-York. W^hen La Salle returned from France, he 



201 1 RVniTIOXAL HIo'TORV OK 

despatched a small vessel to Niagara river, laden with 
materials for building a ship suitable for navigating the 
Lakes. Among the passengers was Hennepin, who 
with eight others landed and travelled some thirty 
leagues through the woods, to hold a council wilh the 
Senecas, whose good will they obtained. 

On the 20th of January, 1679, La Salle joined the 
party, encamped on the shores of the Niagara river, and 
strained every nerve in making preparations for a great 
Western voyage. In a week, a dock yard was not only 
selected, but the keel of a ship laid. The builders plied 
the adze and the hammers vigorously, though in fear 
that the Lidians would apply the torch to their work 
and the tomahawk to their scalps. When they began 
to min-mur. Father Hennepin began to exhort, and as 
he says, 'allay their fears.' 

In six months, the vessel was ready for lattnching. 
It was named the Griffin, in compliment to Count Fron- 
tenac, the Governor of Canada, whose armorial bearings 
were adorned by two griffins. It was defended by a 
few guns, and ornamented by an eagle and a griffin on 
its prow. 

By means of ropes, the vessel was towed from tlie 
Niagara River to Lake Erie, much to the astonishment 
of the natives. On the 7th of August, 1679, La Salle, 



THE OJIBWAY NATIOX. 2ijJ 

Hennepin, and some thirty others, entered the ship and 
spread their sails to the breeze. The waters of Lake 
Erie bore the vessel most gallantly, and in three days 
they were within the vicinity of the spot, where now 
stands the city of Detroit. Passing through the Lake, 
which they named St. Clair, in honor of one of the 
saints of the Church of Rome, they entered Lake Huron. 
Here they encountered one of those terrible storms, which 
even the experienced sailor of modern days dreads. All 
but the pilot, who according to Hennepin, was destitute 
of religious feeling, began to pray to the Patron Saint, 
Anthony of Padua. But not a hair of their heads was 
injured ; the waves at last fell to sleep, and upon the 
27th of the month they safely moored in one of the har- 
bors of Mackinaw Island. 

Here Hennepin, and the other ecclesiastics, celebrated 
mass, and La Salle, wrapped in a scarlet cloak edged 
with gold, visited the assembled Indians. This being 
a desirable point for trade with the tribes, a fort was 
built. Leaving Mackinaw, they entered Lake Michigan, 
and anchored at an island at the mouth of Green Bay. 
In two weeks time the Griffin was freighted with furs 
to the amount of twelve thousand dollars, and sent back 
to Niagara, which point she never reached, and as it 
was supposed, was wrecked in another storm. 



200 TRADITIONAL IIISTOJIY OF 

Leaving Green Bay in four birch canoes. La Salle 
and his followers coasted along the Eastern boundary 
of Wisconsin, and at last pitched their tents in the neigh- 
borhood of Milwaukie river. Fatigued and without a 
supply of food, they were much disheartened ; but the 
Indians in the vicinity proved friendly, and administered 
to their wants. 

After being exposed to many perils by land and by 
water, they landed on the first of November at the 
mouth of the river St. Joseph in Michigan. Late in 
the season they started from thence for the Illinois river ; 
but before they reached that stream, provisions again 
grew scarce. In their extremity. Providence assisted ; 
for, says Hennepin, a stray Buffalo was found sticking 
fast in a marsh, which served for food. After a journey 
of three hundred miles, they at last reached the Illinois, 
and descended to an Indian village situated near the 
present town of Ottawa, Winter being at hand, the 
inhabitants were on their annual hunt; but the travel- 
lers, pressed with hunger, could not refrain from help- 
ing themselves to some of the corn. 

They continued to proceed down the river. Until the 
first of January, 1080, when they halted, and had a 
new year's celebration, consisting of religious services 
by Hennepin nnd other priests. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 2t7 

The ceremonies being over, they entered Lake Peoria, 
at the lower end of which they discovered an encamp- 
ment of Indians. After the red men had recoveied 
from their astonishment, they invited the strangers to 
their cabins, and passed the day in feasting. 

La Salle told them that he had come to impart a 
knowledge of the true God, and to supply them with 
fire arms, in the place of the awkward weapons they 
had been accustomed to use. The night after he made 
this speech, a Chief of a tribe residing on Fox River, 
stole into the camp, and calling the Chiefs together, told 
them that he had been informed that the Frenchmen 
were allied with their old enemies, the Iroquois. This 
false intelligence communicated to the Indians by La 
Salle's enemies, produced much consternation. The 
next morning, in the place of cordiality, the travellers 
found only coldness and suspicion. The commander 
inquired the cause of the sudden change, and he was 
then told the whole tale. A man of uncommon tact 
and address, he soon regained their confidence. He 
now began to inquire about the Mississippi, and spoke 
of his plan of building a boat, after the white man's 
fashion, to sail upon that stream. The principal men 
of tlie camp did not fully approve of his plan, and they 
attempted to dissuade him. by saying, ' that the banks 



2Clb TJ-lADl riO.\Al> HiyTURV OF 

of the Mississippi were inhabited by a gigantic race of 
men, who killed all travellers ; that it was filled with 
crocodiles, serpents and monsters, as well as falls and 
rapids, and that there was a dreadful whirlpool at its 
mouth.' 

The discernment ol I^a Salle convinced him that this 
was what we vulgarly term a ' hoax,' and he arose and 
told the spokesman, that his sayings were stamped with 
improbability. These stories, however, caused six of 
the company to desert and others to complain. 

As it was now too cold to travel with comfort, the 
erection of a fort was commenced not far distant from 
the town of Peoria 

Here, in the interior of the North American Continent, 
two years before the Quaker Penn purchased of the In- 
dians the spot where the city of Philadelphia now 
stands, might be heard the sound of the saw, the blow- 
ing of the forge, the stroke of the sledge, and the ring 
of the anvil. In less than six weeks, and in the midst 
of winter, this exploring band had erected a log fort, 
which they named Crevecoeur, and the hull of a vessel 
42 feet long and 12 broad, which was to have been em- 
ployed in navigating the Mississippi. The necessary 
cordage and rigging being absent, the ship could not be 
completed. i^ 



THE O; in WAY NATION. 209 

But La Salle was still intent upon discovering a short 
route to the ' wealth of Onnus and of Ind,' and therefore 
ordered Father HenHepin to proceed on a voyage to the 
sources of the Mississippi. 

This was not unwelcome intelligence to the forward 
Franciscan ; and on the last day of February, 1680, 
with one canoe laden with goods, and two companies, 
Picard du Gay and Michel Ako, he began his long and 
dangerous journey. 

In seven days he had reached the mouth of the Illi- 
nois ; but on account of the floating ice, he had to wait 
some time before he could ascend the ' Meschasipi,' as 
he termed the river upon the banks of which we dwell. 
By the 11th of April, he had paddled as far as the Wis- 
consin river; in the vicinity of which he met a flotilla 
of canoes, filled with Issati or Dakota Indians, called 
Issati or Issanti, as it is supposed, after their ancient 
residence at Mille Lac. With them he passed through 
the Lac des Pleurs, shortly after called Pepin, which 
name it stfll retains, which he thus describes. 'About 
thirty leagues above Black River, we found the Lake of 
Tears, which we named so, because the savages who 
took us, as it will be hereafter related, consulted in this 
place what they should do with their prisoners, and 
those Avho were for murdering cried all night upon n^, 



210 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

10 oblige by their tears, their companions to consent to 
^our death. This lake is formed by the " Meschasipi," 
and may be seven leagues long and five broad.' 

As the Dakotas were generally very kind in the treat- 
ment of their white captives, very little credence can be 
given to the tale of the Father's captivity. 

After nineteen days' travel with the Indians, he dis- 
covered a cataract, which he says ' indeed of itself is 
teiTible, and hath something very astonishing.' He re- 
ported the falls to be sixty feet in height, which is quite 
moderate for the man who published those at Niagara 
to be six hundred feet. Near the cataract was a bear- 
skin upon a pole, a sort of oblation to the spirit in the 
waters. 

After carving the cross and the arms of France on a 
tree, and calling them after the Patron Saint of the ex- 
pedition, the eloquent divine, Anthony of Padua, he 
abandoned his canoe and journeyed by land to the resi- 
dence of the Indians, on a stream, which, in honor of 
the founder of his order, he called Si. Francis.* Their 
manner of welcoming a stranger at that time, seems to 
have been very peculiar. Says Hennepin, ' at the entry 
of the Chief's cabin, who had adopted me, one of the 
barbarians, who seemed to be very old, presented me 

* No\i called Elk River. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 211 

with a pipe to smoke, and weeping over me all the 
while with abundance of tears, rubbed both my hands 
and my head. This was to show how concerned he 
was to see me so harrassed and fatigued. And indeed 
I had often need enough of two men to support me, 
when I was up, or raise m.3 when I was down. There 
was a bear's skin before the fire, upon wliich the young- 
est boy of the cabin caused me to lie down, and then 
with the grease of wild-cats, anointed my thighs, legs, 
and soles of my feet.' 

The first of white men then, who looked upon the 
Falls of St. Anthony, was not a Jesuit, as Steinmetz, 
misled by Kip's eloquent preface to the ' early Jesuit 
Missions in North America,' asserts ; but a Franciscan 
of the Recollect branch. 

While Hennepin was dwelling upon the banks of the 
St. Francis, he was agreeably surprised by the arrival 
of a party of French traders from Lake Superior, under 
the direction of a Sieur de Luth, and probably among 
the first who had ever penetrated so far into the interior 
of the Dakota country. About the last of September, 
1680, the whites left the Indian village, and descending 
the Mississippi as far as the Wisconsin, they proceeded 
by way of that stream, and Green Bay, to Quebec. — 
Hennepin did not tarry long in that city, but went to 



212 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

France, and in 1683, published a book of travels under 
the title of ' A Description of Louisiana,' as all of the 
Valley of the Mississippi was then called. 

Had the restless Franciscan remained contented with 
the reputation acquired by the discovery of the Falls of 
St. Anthony, posterity would have viewed his exagger- 
ations and misstatements with a kindly eye, and re- 
membered his name with pleasure. 

But in an evil hour, he was tempted to claim the 
honor of not only discovering the source, but the mouth 
of the Mississippi ; and to sustain the claim, he contra- 
dicted what he had previously asserted, and committed 
one of the meanest plagiarisms on record. After the 
renowned La Salle had met an untimely end, by the 
liand of a conspirator, La Clercq published the letters 
of Fathers Zenobe and Anastase, giving a description 
of the scenery and productions of the lower Mississippi. 
Hennepin, with the aid of these missionary letters, and 
a fertile imagination, prepared a book entitled ' New 
Discovery of a vast Country situated in America, be- 
tween New Mexico and the Frozen Ocean.' In this he 
is daring enough to state, that he paddled a canoe witk 
the aid of two men, from the Illinois to the Gulf o. 
Mexico, and back, more than two thousand five him- 
dred miles, in forty-nin« days. 



TllK OJICWAV NATION. 213 

Anticipating the query from some inquisitive French- 
man, ' why did you not say something about the dis- 
covery of the mouth of the Mississippi, in your first 
work, pubhshed more than ten years since V he frames 
a most awkward and insufficient apology. After stating 
that La Salle was envious and jealous of him, he re- 
marks that he was also unfriendly, because during his 
first voyage to France, when a gay company of young 
women commenced dancing upon the deck of the ship, 
he had reprimanded them for their gaiety ; La Salle, 
who was a fellow passenger, interposed and said there 
was no harm in dancing, and that the Franciscan had 
overstepped the bounds of his authority. Warm words 
ensued, and we are called upon to believe that by this 
frivolous incident, a root of bitterness was planted in 
his bosom which was never eradicated. 

None of his excuses sustained Hennepin's reputation ; 
and shortly after we find him, in his old age, leaving 
France. Crossing the Channel, he published in Lon- 
don another edition of his real and fictitious discoveries 
in the Valley of the Mississippi, and staunch Romanist 
as he professed to be, entered into the pay of England's 
Protestant King, William IIL, who was anxious to be 
the rival of France in colonizing the banks of the Mis- 
sissippi, and willing ' to leap over twenty stumbling 
blocks rather than not effect it.' 



211 TRADITIONAL BI^^TORY OK 

As a town in the State of Illinois, has already taken 
the name of Hennepin, wliich would have been so ap- 
propriate for our neighboring and beautiful village of 
St. Anthony, we take leave of the discoverer of those 
picturesque Falls, which will always render that town 
equally attractive to the eye of the poet and capitalist, 
by suggesting, that the island which divides the 'laugh- 
ing waters,'* be called Hennepin, who though, as Ban- 
croft says, ' a boastful liar,' was nevertheless a ' daring 
discover.' 

Eight years after Hennepin announced the discovery 
of the Falls of St. Anthony to his friends in Canada, 
another exploration of the Yalley of the Upper Missis- 
sippi was undertaken by Baron Lahontan. About the 
last of September, 1688, with a large party of French 
and Indians, he departed with his heavily laden canoes 
from the fort at Mackinaw, and proceeded by the usual 
and natural route by Green Bay, Fox and Wisconsin 
Rivers, to the Mississippi, upon whose waters he floated 
on the 23d of October. Ascending this stream, he says 
tjhat on the 3d of November, he entered into a river that 
was almost without a current, and at its mouth filled 
with rushes. He remarks moreover, that he ascended 

• The Dakota Indians call the Falls of St. Anthony, " Rara," from 
Lrara. to lau?h. 



'inr. O.TIHWAY XATKtX. 2] 't 

it for more than live hundred miles. Upon its banks 
dvveU three Nations : the Eokoros, Essannapes, and the 
Gnacsitares. On account of its great length, having 
been employed sixty days in its ascent, he named it 
Riviere Longue. As there is no stream in existence 
that answers to the description, many have been inclined 
to look upon the account of Baron Lahontan, in the 
same light as they view the stories of Baron Munchau- 
sen. Others, more credulous, have credited him with 
the discovery of the Minesota or Saint Pierre River. — 
Nicollet supposes that the Riviere Longue of Lahontan 
was Cannon River, which enters the Mississippi near 
the head of Lake Pepin, and that this stream was then 
an outlet of the Minesota. A reference to the map, 
shows that there is but a short distance between the 
sources of Cannon River, and the Le Sueur and other 
tributaries of the Mankato or Blue Earth Rivers. 

Bradford in his ' Notes on the North West,' agrees 
with Nicollet. He remarks — ' there is very clear evi- 
dence, from geological indications, that the whole Upper 
Mississippi was atone time submerged ; and it is highly 
probable, that in the gradual subsidence of the waters 
which may not have taken place in 1690 or 1700, to 
the extent it has now attained, a great lake may have 
covered all that area. 



816 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

The supposition that he passed through Cannon Rivei 
IS not improbable. The sources of Cannon River are 
within four or five miles of an Eastern branch of Blue 
Earth River, and the intervening ground is a perfect 
level. The communication may at the time of the voy- 
age have been complete, or been made so by a freshet, 
and he would thus have passed through the Blue Earth 
into St. Peter's River.* 

Keating supposed that the Hoka or Root River, was 
the one referred to by Lahontan, and remarks, ' it is 
impossible to read the Baron Lahontan's account of 
this river, without being convinced that the greater part^ 
if not the whole of it, is a deception.' When doctors 
disagree, it would be vain for us to attempt to decide. 



* 'Having procured a copy of Lahontan's book, in which there is a 
roughly made map of his Long River, I was struck with the resem- 
blance of its course as laid down, with that of Cannon River, which 
I had previously sketched in my own field book. I soon convinced 
myself that the principal statements of the Baron in reference to the 
country, and the few details he gives of the physical character of the 
river, coincide remarkably with what I had laid down, as belonging 
to Cannon River.' 

Thus the lakes and swamps corresponded : traces of Indian villages 
mentioned by him might be found in the growth of a wild grass that 
propagates itself around all old Indian settlements. His account of 
the mouth of the river is particularly accurate. ' We entered the 
mouth of this Long River, which is a sort of large lake filled with 
cane brakes, in the midbt of which we discovered a narrow channel, 
which we followed up.'— (Nicolett's Report. 



TIIF, OJIBWAY NATION. 217 

Lahontan having navigated the streams in this region, 
(perhaps the St. Peter's River.) descended the Mississippi 
as far as the junction of the Ohio. 

Upon his return, he stopped at Fort Crevecoeur, on the 
lUinois, the post from which Hennepin had departed in 
1680, on his exploring tour to the sources of the Missis- 
sippi. 

Though La Salle had been cruelly murdered by a 
member of his exploring party, his friend, Count Fronte- 
nac, the Governor of Canada, continued to prosecute with 
vigor, discoveries, and the estabhshment of commercip.! 
relations with the Indian tribes in the Mississippi valley. 

In 1695. he deputed a Monsieur Le Sueur, to build a 
fort on an island in the Mississippi, in order that peace- 
ful relations might be maintained with the Ojibways and 
Dakotas. Returning to Montreal, a Chief from each of 
these then, as now warlike tribes, accompanied him. 
While in that city, the Dakota Chief, the first that had 
ever been there, with much ceremony, presented to the 
Governor as many arrows as his Nation had villages, and 
entreated that his tribe might enjoy the same privileges 
of trade as other Indian Nations. 

Le Sueur brought back the news, that there were 
mines of lead and copper in the Sioux country, and has- 
tened to France to lay the information before Louis XIV. 



218 'I'RADirioxAr, history of 

Entirely successful in his application for a grant to 
work the mines, he left Europe in 1697 ; but just as he* 
came in sight of Newfoimdlandj the ship in which he 
was sailing, was captured by the British, and the pas- 
sengers carried as captives to Portsmouth. The next 
year he was released, and returned to Paris. Receiving 
a fresh patent, he started anew to explore the mines, 
believed to be not many miles distant from the spot on 
which we dwell. After he arrived in Canada, it was 
impossible for him to execute his plans, and he returned 
a third time to the mother country. 

The commencement of the year 1699, found a distin- 
guished Canadian in the naval service of the French 
Government. His name was Iberville, and with several 
ships and a company of colonists, he went forth to estab- 
lish a settlement on the Mississippi. They built a fort 
eighty miles Northeast of New Orleans, and here in 
1700 we find Le Sueur, who appears to have possessed 
indomitable perseverance. 

By the order of Iberville, Le Sueur, with a company 
of ninety men, proceeded to explore the mines in the 
Dakota country, of which he had given an account five 
years before. On the first of September, 1700, he had 
reached the mouth of the Wisconsin. Fourteen days 
Efter this, he was at the entrance of the Chippewa, on a 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 219 

branch of which he had said he had discovered a himp 
of copper weighing sixty pounds. Passing through Lac 
des Pleurs, which at that early date had begun to be 
called Lake Pepin, he reached, on the 16th of Septem- 
ber, the mouth of a river, where a Monsieur St. Croix 
was drowned, and in memory of whom, it received the 
name it now bears. Three days after this, he entered 
the Minesota or St. Peter's River, which was not men- 
tioned by Hennepin, the sight of it as he ascended the 
stream, being obscured perhaps by the island which is 
at its mouth. 

Carver informs us that when he visited this country 
in 1766, there were on the Eastern side of Lake Pepin, 
the ruins of a trading post, that had been in early days 
under the superintendence of a captain St. Pierre, and 
after him, probably, did Le Sueur call the Minesota 
River.* 

On the first of October, Le Sueur had ascended the 
Minesota to the mouth of the Mankato or Blue Earth 
River, about one hundred and fifty miles above Fort 
Snelling. He there erected a trading post or fort, which 
did not give satisfaction to the Kapoja and other bands 

* Since the above was written, we find the following statement in 
Nicolett's Report :— ' As for my part, I have no hesitation in assign- 
ing its origin to a Canadian, by the name of St. Pierre.' 



220 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

of Dakotas in our vicinity. They claimed that the fort 
should have been on their lands, at the confluence of 
the Minesota and Mississippi, where Mendota. the post 
of the Fur Company, is now situated ; because they 
were the first with whom the French had traded and 
furnished with fire arms. The fort was called L'Huillier, 
after a scientific Parisian, and is said to be marked upon 
a map published at Amsterdam in 1720. 

Having completed the necessary buildings, on the 
26th of October, with three canoes, he proceeded to the 
locality where the Blue Earth was found. After pass- 
ing the winter in digging, he returned with several 
thousand pounds of this bluish green earth, to the mouth 
of the Mississippi, from whence four thousand pounds 
were transported to France, where it appears to have 
been of the same value as the sand of the Yirginia colo- 
nists in England, a century previous. 

In the vicinity of the Blue Earth, were said to be 
mines of copper ; but geologists and others, who have 
lately explored the country, while they describe the 
blue pigment used by the Indians, say not a word about 
any metalic deposits on the Blue Earth River or its 
tributaries. 

With Le Sueur, the French explorations in Minesota 
appear to have ceased. It is stated that the white resi- 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 221 

dents were obliged to leave the country in 1720, on ac- 
count of the hostiUty of the Dakotas. Though this may 
have contributed to their departure, yet no doubt many 
traders were impoverished by the bursting of the cele- 
brated Mississippi Company, projected by the infamous 
swindler, John Law. The professed object of this asso- 
ciation was the aggrandizement and cultivation of the 
colonies of France in North America ; and the French 
Government enhanced its delusive credit, by assigning 
to it the whole Territory of Louisiana, of which this 
country was a district." 



CHAPTER XVI. 

FURTHER NOTICES OF THE NOTHWEST. 

"The first British traveller to the Falls of St. Anthony, 
iji the introduction to his book of travels, expresses the 
opinion, • that at some future period,' the then unculti- 
vated wilderness would become the abode of a civilized 
people, and ' that stately palaces, and solemn temples 
with gilded spires reaching to the skies,' would -supplant 
the Indian huts, whose only decorations are the barba- 
rous trophies of their vanquished enemies,' and hopes 
that he may be gratefully remembered by the future 
inhabitants, as one of those who first visited and des- 
cribed the country now called Minesota. In the place 
of the skin-lodge of the Dakota, and the oblations to the 
Spirit supposed to dwell in the roaring waters, we wit- 
ness this evening, (assembled in a hall dedicated to the 
purposes of education and unsectajian religion,) an audi- 
ence, descendants of the old, blue-eyed, energetic Saxon, 



THE OJIBWAY NA'J'ION. 223 

clad in robes which their Atlantic forefathers would 
have esteemed princely, and dwellers in comfortable 
houses, situated upon beautiful eminences which the 
Architect of the Universe has been ' smoothing down' 
for centuries, and preparing for the abode of a Christian 
people. 

As it is the chief design of your association to impart 
useful information, it is proposed as an introductory 
lecture, to give a review of the principal French, British 
and American travels to the Falls of St. Anthony. 

After noticing the tour of Father Hennepin, Mr. N. 
remarked that the next visiter to the Falls, of whom we 
have any account, is Jonathan Carver, a captain of a 
company of Provincial troops during the war between 
Great Britain an^ France. After the conquest of Can- 
ada, and the peace of 1783, he passed some time in an 
exploring tour through the Northwest ; filled with the 
same idea that pervaded the minds of Hennepin and 
La Salle, the discovery of a short passage to the Pacific 
Ocean. He was convinced, and the late settlement of 
the Pacific coast has shown that he was correct, that 
the establishment of a colony on the Western coast of 
America, ' would not only disclose new sources of trade 
and promote many useful discoveries, but would open a 
passage for conveying intelligence to China and the 



224 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

English settlements in the East Indies with greater 
expedition than a tedious voyage by the Cape of Good 
Hope or straits of Magellan will allow of.' 

Leaving the city of Boston in Juiie 1766, he proceed- 
ed by way of Albany and the Lakes to Mackinaw, 
which was the Northernmost British post. On the 3d 
of September, he departed from this fort, and on the 18th 
arrived at Green Bay, the site of the old French Mission 
and Fort, where in the latter part of the previous cen- 
tury, men educated in the schools of France and accus- 
tomed to the polished society of the Courts of Europe, 
used to assemble and talk over their discoveries and 
travels. While in this vicinity, he visited an island in- 
habited by Ottawas, and though deploring the effect of 
spirituous liquors upon the savage, njade a present of 
some to the Chief, with which the tribe made them- 
selves drunk. 

Leaving Green Bay, he proceeded up the Fox River 
till he came to a town of the Yv^innebagoes, situated on 
an island at the eastern end of Lake Winnebago. lie 
asserts that a female presided over this tribe, and des 
cribes her as 'a very ancient woman, small in stature 
and not much distinguished by her dress from several 
young women that attended her. Her attendants seem- 
ed greatly pleased whenever I showed any tokens of 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 225 

respect to their Queen, particularly when I sahited lier, 
which I frequently did to acquire her favor. On these 
occasions, the good old lady endeavored to assume a 
juvenile gaiety, and by her smiles showed she was 
equally pleased with the attention I paid her.' 

Carver, like most travellers of olden times, has many 
curious conceits, and supposes that the Winnebagoes 
were originally from Mexico, being driven North by the 
conquests of the Spaniards. He bases his opinion upon 
the following data : ' their unalienable attachment to 
the Sioux, the peculiarity of their dialect, and their in- 
veterate hatred of the Spaniards.' After making a port- 
age, he descended the Wisconsin. On the 9th October, 
he entered a town of the Sauk Indians, where he saw 
great quantities of lead brought from the mines which 
are now so extensively worked in Wisconsin. On the 
15th of October, he reached the Mississippi. Near the 
mouth of the Wisconsin he found the town of ' Prairie 
des Chiens, or Dog Plains.' 

This village he thus describes : ' it contains about 
three hundred families. The houses are well built after 
the Indian manner. It is the great mart where all the 
adjacent tribes and even those who inhabit the most re- 
mote branches of the Mississippi, trade.' 

Having bought a canoe, he proceeded on the lOtli of 



:i26 rilAltlTIONAL HISTOIIY OF 

October, iii coinpLuiy with a French Canadian and a 
Mohawk up the Mississippi. After some difficidty with 
a band of PiUagers, he arrived, on the first of Novem- 
ber, at Lake Pepin. On the East bank of this Lake, he 
observed tlie ruins of a French factory, where it is said 
(yaptain St. Pierre resided, and carried on a very great 
trade with the Naudowessies, (Sioux or Dakotas.) — 
While taking a walk a few miles below Lake Pepin, he 
found some elevations that had apparently been thrown 
up for military defence. He says, ' notwithstanding it 
was now covered with grass, I could plainly discern 
that it had once been a breast-work of about four feet 
in height, extending the best part of a mile. I have 
given as exact an account as possible of this singular 
appearance, and leave to future explorers of these dis- 
tant regions to discover whether it is a production of 
nature or art.' 

Featherstonaugh, a United States geologist, about 
fifteen years ago, visited the spot, and came to the con- 
clusion that it was a work of art, thrown up by some 
unknown Nation. 

Not far distant from the River St. Croix, Carver met 
a band of Sioux, and while encamped with them, a party 
of Chi])pewa warriors came to wage war. The Sioux 
being alarmed, begged the Captain's assistance. He 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 227 

then visited the Chippewas, from whom he received a 
friendly reception, and succeeded in persuading them 
to retire. 

About two miles below St. Paul, he saw a remarkable 
cave, called by the Indians the dwelling of the Great 
Spirit. The entrance was about ten feet wide and five 
feet high. About twenty feet from the entrance was a 
lake, the water of which was transparent. He found in 
this cave many Indian hieroglyphics, which appeared 
very ancient, for time had nearly covered them with 
moss. For many years the mouth of this cave has been 
filled up with gravel and sand ; but in July, 1837, after 
much digging, Nicollet succeeded in making an entrance, 
and saw Indian marks on the wall. 

Not far distant from the cave was an Indian burying 
place, and this fact will help us to account for some of 
the mounds on the farm of Mr. Weld. Just below the 
cave resided the Kaposia, or Little Crow band of Indians, 
who now live four miles below St. Paul, on tlie West 
side of the river. 

He also gives an interesting, if not a reliable account, 

of the burial ceremonies that were performed at this 

cave in the vicinity of St. Paul, and the purport of the 

harangues made to the deceased. 

Having abandoned his canoe opposite the mouth of 
O 



'^'4b TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

the St. Peter's River, on account of the ice, he travelled 
by land to the Falls of St. Anthony,, at which place he 
arrived on the 17th of November, 1766. In company 
witli him was his Mohawk servant, and a young Win- 
nebago Chief. He says he heard the roaring of the 
waters at a distance of fifteen miles. As soon as the 
Winnebago reached the point below the village of St. 
Anthony, which overlooks the Falls, he began to ad- 
dress the Great Spirit, supposed to reside in yon waters. 
He told him that he had come a long way to pay his 
adorations and offerings to him ; after which, he threw 
his pipe, tobacco-pouch, bracelets, beads, ear-rings, and 
all that lie esteemed valuable, into the boiling waters. 

Carver states the Falls to be two hundred and fifty 
yards wide, and the perpendicular fall to be thirty feet. 
In the middle of the Falls, was an island as at present, 
and half way between the side on which we stand and 
the island, there was a rock, lying at the very edge of 
the Falls, in an oblique position, that appeared to him 
to be about five or six feet broad, and thirty or forty 
feet long. 

With the surrounding scenery he was as delighted as 
the most enthusiastic citizen of St. Anthony could de- 
sire. His description is as follows: 'The country 
around them is extremely beautiful. It is not an unin- 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 229 

teiTi.pred plain where the eye finds no rehef, but com- 
posed of many gentle ascents, which in the summer are 
covered with the finest verdure, and interspersed with 
Httle groves that give a pleasing variety to the prospect. 
On the whole, when the Falls are included, which may 
be seen at the distance of four miles, a more pleasing and 
picturesque view cannot, I believe, be found throughout 
the universe.' 

Accompanying this description, with which none of 
you will find fault, there is in the London edition of his 
work a beautiful copperplate engraving of the Falls, — 
which in beauty, to say the least, is equal to many 
engravings of the same tkat have been offered to the 
public within the last ten years. At the time of his 
visit, the island below the Falls was full of eagles' 
nests, the rapids rendering them secure from the attacks 
of man or beast. 

After a careful inspection of the Falls, he continued 
his journey to the point where his predecessor, Hennepin, 
stopped, to the River St. Francis. Carver believed that 
this country^ was destined to be settled ; he even parti- 
tioned the lands of Wisconsin and Eastern Minesota 
into subordinate colonies. These he divided by dotted 
lines and numbered, that future adventurers might 
readil}^, by referring to the map, choose a commodious 



830 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

and advantageous situation. Tract No. I, or Eastern 
Minesota, is thus described : 

* The country within these hmits, from its situation, 
is colder than any of the others, yet I am convinced 
that the air is much more temperate than in those pro- 
vinces that lie in the same degree of latitude to the east 
of it. The soil is excellent, and there is a great deal of 
land that is free from woods in the parts adjoining to 
the Mississippi, whilst on the contrary, the Northeastern 
borders are well wooded. Towards the heads of the 
River St. Croix, rice grows in great plenty, and there is 
abundance of copper. Though the Falls of St. Anthony 
are situated at the Southeast corner of this division, yet 
that impediment will not totally obstruct the navigation. 
As the River St. Croix, which runs through a great part 
of the Southern side of it, enters the Mississippi just be- 
low the Falls, and flows with so gentle a current, that 
it affords a convenient navigation for boats. This tract 
is about one hundred miles from N. W. to S. E., and 
twenty from N. E. to S. W.' 

Living more than a quarter of a century before Evans 
and Fitch and Fulton made their incipient attempts to 
apply steam to the propulsion of boats on the Delaware 
and Hudson rivers, he could not conceive how vessels 
could ascend with ease above the Forks of the Ohio ; 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 231 

yet he looked for the time which we are destined to see^ 
when by canals, or ' shorter cuts, a communication 
may be opened by water with New- York by way of the 
Lakes.' 

On Carver's return from the Falls, he ascended the 
St. Peter's River, and wintered. Concerning his resi- 
dence there, we can say but little, as many of his state- 
ments are incredible ; especially that which says that 
he learned the Sioux, one of the most difficult of the 
Indian languages, in a few months, so that he could 
deliver speeches in that tongue. 

Descending the St. Peter's in the spring, after attend- 
ing a great council of the Sioux just below St. Paul, he 
proceeded with a deputation of their number by the way 
of the Chippewa River and Lake Superior to Mackinaw. 

Returning to Great Britain, he communicated the in- 
formation he obtained to several gentlemen of wealth 
and intelligence. In the year 1774, Richard Whitworth, 
a member of Parliament, a Colonel Rogers and Carver 
had determined to proceed to America and built a Fort 
at Lake Pepin, and then ascend the St. Peter's and 
Missouri Rivers, until they discovered the River Oregon, 
whose sources they supposed were on the other side of 
the ridge dividing the waters of the Gulf of Mexico from 
those of the Pacific Ocean. On that coast another 



232 ' TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

post was to have been established, and from thence they 
expected to be able to reach the countries of Asia by- 
some short passage. These plans, however, were all 
frustrated by the war between the American Colonies 
and the mother country. That Captain Carver made 
many statements not consistent with truth, cannot be 
denied ; yet no one can read his book without acknow- 
ledging that he was a man of vigorous intellect and keen 
observation. "When we remember, that the European 
nations expected every traveller to tell some wondrous 
tale upon his return, and believed it more readily on 
account of its improbability ; that the age had not quite 
passed when ' feathers could be produced which had 
dropped from the tail of a phoenix ; that ostriches were 
to be seen which unlike the birds of the present day, 
had not pecked their way into the world through an 
egg shell, but had been born alive ; that bones were 
plentiful, of giants, with whom Goliath was a dwarf; 
that petrified babies were not rare ;' we ought not to be 
surprised that he describes a thunder storm in the 
vicinity of Mendota, ' so violent that the earth shook and 
the lightning flashed along the ground in streams of 
sulphiir ;' nor that he should print a speech which he 
says he delivered in the Dakota language, after a resi- 
dence of a few months among the Nation. 



THF OJIBWAY NATION. 233 

After the explorations of General, then Lieut. Pike, 
tiie United States Government in 1823 determined that 
'an expedition be immediately fitted out for exploring 
the River St. Peter's, and the country situated on the 
Northern boundary of the United States between the 
Red River of Hudson's Bay and Lake Superior.' The 
commander of the expedition was Major Stephen Long. 
The party left Philadelphia and proceeded via Fort 
Dearborn (the site of the city of Chicago) to Prairie du 
Chien, where they arrived on the 19th of June. On 
the 2d of July, the party passed the narrowest pla-ce of 
the Mississippi, and landed for a few moments six 
miles below St. Paul, to examine a stone which was 
then held in high veneration among the Indians on 
account of the red pigment with which it was covered, 
hence now called Red Rock. ' It is a fragment of sien- 
ite, which is about four and a half feet in diameter. It 
is not surprising that the Indians should have viewed 
this rock with some curiosity, and deemed it wonderful, 
considering that its character differs so materially from 
the rocks which are found in that neighborhood. A 
man who lives in a country where the highest hills are 
wholl) formed of sand-stone and secondary limestone, 
will necessarily be struck with the peculiar characters 
of the first specimen of the granite that comes under his 



234 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

notice, and it is not to be wondered at that one who 
" sees God in all things" should have made part of a 
stone an object of worship.' — (Long's Expedition.) 

Above Red Rock, they visited the cemetery which had 
been mentioned by Carver more than a half century 
previous, and saw scaffolds supporting rude coflins. — 
At a little distance below St. Paul they passed the vil- 
lage of Kaposia, as before stated on the East side of the 
river, and called ' Petit Corbeau,' after the Chief who 
resided there. This 'tribe now live on the other side, 
and is the mission station of Dr. Williamson. The In- 
dians that are so constantly in the streets of St. Paul, 
reside there. The cave discovered by Carver below St. 
Paul, the party of 1823 did not visit, but the little cave 
above that town, which we have inappropriately marked 
on our maps ' Carver's Cave,' a place which Carver 
never saw, and was never discovered until 1811. 

On the night of the 2d July, Long and his party 
reached Fort Snelling, which work had been conmien- 
ced about four years before. 

On the 6tli of July, members of this party walked to 
the Falls of St. Anthony, which they began to ford. — ■ 
Some of the company, however, found great difficulty 
in steniiiiing the current, and reached this side of the 
rapids much exhausted. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 235 

By Mcijor Long's measurement, the perpendicular fall 
of water was found to be about sixteen feet. A quarter 
of a century ago, the United States had two mills in 
operation here, which were watched by a sergeant's 
guard. 

In the narrative of Major Long's expedition, we not 
only find for the first time, the legend of Winona, who, 
thwarted in marrying the object of her love, dashed her- 
self to pieces from the lofty bluff on Lake Pepin, which 
will always be called Maiden's Rock, but he also gives 
the following legend of the Falls, which he learned 
from an Indian : 

^An Indian of the Dakota or Sioux Nation, had 
united himself early in life to a youthful female, whose 
name was Ampato Sapa. With her he lived happily 
for several years. Two interesting children gathered 
around their lodge fire, from day to day, and they loved 
to think that they were " their little ones." The man 
was skilled as a hunter, and drew around him many 
families. Desirous of being more intimately connected 
with him, some of them suggested that a man of his 
skill ought to possess more than one wife, to wait upon 
hhn and his friends. They assured him that if he 
would increase the number of his wives, that he would 
increase his influence, and soon be recognized as a Chief, 



400 TRADITIONAL HISTOFIY OF 

Ambition overcame his afTection, and he secretly took a 
second wife. Being desirous to introduce his new bride 
to his lodge in a way that would not displease his first 
love, he said to the mother of his children, " You know 
that I can love no woman so fondly as I doat upon you ; 
with regret have I seen you of late subjected to toils 
which must be oppressive to you, and from which I 
would gladly relieve you. I have therefore resolved 
upon taking another wife, but she shall always be sub- 
ject to your control, as she will always rank in my 
affections second to you." 

' With deep grief did his first wife listen to these 
words. She pleaded all the endearments of their past 
life ; she spoke of his former fondness for her, and bade 
Iiim beware of introducing another woman into the 
lodge. Finding that he could not persuade her to be 
contented, he informed her that he had already procured 
another woman to share the lodge with her. 

' Distressed at this information, she watched her op- 
portunity, stole away from the cabin with her children, 
and fled to a distance, where her father was. With 
him slie remained until a party of Indians went up the 
river to hunt. In the spring, as tliey returned with 
their furs, they encamped near these Falls. In tlie 
morning the band left, but she Uiigered near the spot, 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 237 

Having launched her hght canoe, she entered with her 
children. Paddhng down the rapids, she hegan to sing 
her death song. 

' Her friends saw the movement, but they were too 
late to prevent. Her voice grew less and less distinct 
as she approached the edge of the Falls. For a mo- 
ment, the canoe paused at the brink, enveloped Avith 
spray, then with a sudden plunge it darted down, carry- 
ing all of its contents to instant death. 

' The Indians believe that in the morning a voice is 
heard, singing a doleful ditty along the edge of the Fall, 
and that it ever dwells upon the inconstancy of her hus- 
band. Some even assert that her spirit has been seen 
wandering near the spot, with her children wrapped to 
her bosom.' 

We have thus given you a brief review of the princi- 
pal French, English, and American travels to this widely 
celebrated spot. 

A few months has worked great changes in the vici- 
nity of these ' roaring waters.' 

Less than two years ago, a divine of European as 
well as American reputation, visited this place, and felt 
that he was in a far distant land. Were he to repeat 
his visit, on every seventh day, though he might not 
bear the doleful ditty of Ampato Sapa, he would listen 



23S TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

to the songs 'of a Saviour's dying love,' mingling with 
the majestic chorus of ' many waters ;' he would wit- 
ness to-night, an audience not less intelligent than those 
gathered on similar occasions, ' in the smiling villages 
of the East ;' and a library, as yet small, in which how- 
ever the last new novel is not conspicuous, but the works 
of Burke, Carlyle's and Headley's Cromwell, Arnold's 
History of Rome, and the Essays of Talfom'd, Stephens 
and Channing. 

Though the citizens of the most Northern village in 
the Valley of the Mississippi, you show to the world 
that extremes are often in close proximity; that- the 
dwellers on the borders of an Indian country can com- 
mune with the noblest and best of minds, through their 
works, and appreciate, as well as any in the world, the 
voice of a living ministry, and the truths of the Sacred 
Writings." 



CHAPTER XYII. 

THE NORTH AMERICAN INDIANS IN GENERAL. 

Being desirous of doing all that I can towards bet- 
tering the condition of my brethren, I here subjoin four 
letters, originally addressed to the " Saturday Evening 
Post" of Philadelphia, on the subject of Indian Civiliza- 
tion, — the plan which I have presented before different 
Legislatures, and recently in a Memorial presented in 
both Houses of Congress for their action. 

I am happy to say that there is a universal approval 
of this plan throughout the Union ; and it is my design 
to request the General Government of this country that 
they may sooner or later take these Indians under their 
care, and have the credit of dealing justly with her long 
abused red races. If Congress does not do any thing 
iti the present first session of the thirty-first Congress, 
I shall go again — and just as often as they meet I shall 
press this subject before them, until something is done. 
The remarks here penned may be also applied in the 



2'10 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

case of our Nation, who are now becoming demoralized 
yearly by alcoholic drinks. 

I desire the reasons here given to be weighed by all 
impartial readers," and if any lack of soundness in our 
arguments be found, let it not be laid to the weakness 
of the cause we advocate, but to the writers deficiency 
for such a work. 

INDIAN CIVILIZATION. 

Mr. Editor. — Your readers will have noticed by 
the papers throughout the ITmon, the plan I have pre- 
sented before the American public of my endeavors to 
save a remnant of the scattered Indian tribes of the 
Northwest. 

I will endeavor to give a sliort outline, in three or 
four letters, of the matter as follows : 

1. Why the Indians have not improved, and why 
they have decreased in numbers when coming in con- 
tact with the Europeans, since the first commencement 
of their intercourse until the present. 

2. The fears I entertain that they never will liold a 
peaceable possession of any great portion of the West. 

3. The plan I advocate, and its practicability. 

4. The benefit it must be to the American Govern- 
ment, and to the Indians. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 241 

I. In this letter : Why they have not improved^ and 
why they have decreased in numbers. 

To give a statement of all the disadvantages they 
have had to encounter would not be in accordance with 
my present object, nor with the necessity imposed on me 
with reference to your columns ; yet I will mention a 
few. In their intercourse with the frontier settlers they 
meet the worst classes of pale faces. They soon adopt 
their foolish ways and their vices, and their minds be- 
ing thus poisoned and preoccupied, the morality and 
education which the better classes would teach them 
sere forestalled. This is not to be wondered at when it 
is generally known that the frontier settlers are made up 
of wild, adventurous spirits, willing to raise themselves 
by the downfall of the Indian race. These are traders, 
spirit-sellers, horse thieves, counterfeiters and scape- 
gallowses, who neither fear God nor regard the laws of 
man. When the Indians come in contact with such 
men, as representatives of the American people, what 
else could be expected of them ? It is not strange, that, 
seeing as he does the gross immorality of the whites 
whom he meets, and the struggle between the pale face 
for wrong and the red man for right, which begins when 
they first meet, and ends not until one dies, that he re- 
fuses to follow the footsteps of the white man in the 



242 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

attainment of science. The majority having never been 
in the society of the good, religious and refined, they 
know but Httle of the advantages of civihzation. 

There has been another class of men who have kept 
pace with the frontier, whose fathers and friends were 
killed in the wars in the more Easterly States some 
years ago by the Indians ; these having such implaca- 
ble hatred against the poor Indians, do all they can to 
enrage one race agahist the other, and if possible involve 
the two in war, that they may engage in their favorite 
work of depredation. 

II. Their love of Adventurous Life. 

Their fathers having been Nimrods, in a literal sense, 
they have followed in their footsteps. 

Not that I would have you suppose that there is no 
such thing as teaching the American Indian the peace- 
ful arts of agriculture, for he has already proved himself 
teachable. The suddenness with which the American 
people have come upon them, has prevented them from 
gradually acquiring the arts of civilized life ; and leav- 
ing local employment, they have hunted for a living, 
and thus perpetuated that independent, roaming dispo- 
sition which was their early education. 

III. The afritalioii of 7nind they experience in the be- 
lief that Government will want their lands and they be 
removed to the West. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 243 

None but an Indian can, perhaps, rightly judge of the 
deleterious influence which the repeated removals of the 
Indians has wrought, since they began in the days of 
Jefferson, and have been continued by succeeding admin- 
istrations, until now. Fear has prevented the Indian 
from making any very great advancement in agricul- 
tural science. 

Having seen the removal of other Indian tribes, they 
have been conscious of the fact that the Government 
may and doubtless will want more land, and they be 
obhged to sell at whatever price Govennnent may see 
fit to give, and thus all improvements they might have 
made would become useless to them. 

In some instances, the Missionaries have done well in 
subduing the wild and warring dispositions of the In- 
dians, but these lessons have been lost by the removal 
of the Indians Westward, and should he say aught, he 
is represented by the agents in an antagonistical atti- 
tude towards his own Government, and the Indian has 
been the sufferer. 

lY. The loant of Schools of the character that are re- 
qviredfor the Education of the Indians. 

I mean schools where the whip may 1x5 dispensed 

with as the motive power of acquiring education, and 

where rational beings are to be taught in a rational 
P 



244 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

manner. This whipping to learn is hrutish and degra- 
ding — I might add, savage. 

Gentle persuasion is that cord which has done the 
most for me and others. Many a school-teacher who 
has gone into the Indian country, had just as much 
right to become a teacln^r to the Indians^ as I have to sit 
in the place of" Old l{ough and Ready." 

You will tell me, no doubt, that the Indians have 
been taught the advantages of education — that some 
even liave gone and attended, not only the common 
school, but schools of a high order, colleges, and have 
returned to the forest again — have })ut on the blanket 
and roamed the woods. This has not alwa^^s been the 
case. I might name a great many, who, to my know- 
ledge, have done and aie now doing well for themselves 
and for theii- people. 

The reasons for their returnmg back again, were the 
absence of a good moral training, and their not having 
learned any trade with which to be employed on their 
leaving the schools. Having no employment, and no 
income, they found themselves in possession of all the 
qualities of a gentleman, without the requisite funds to 
support tliemselves. 

^ome of their tearhors where they went, knowing 
only (.'hrisiianity in lh(3ury; and not by a practical know- 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 245 

ledge of the persuasive influences of its truths in the 
mind and soul, how could they teach them what they 
are destitute themselves ? Open the pages of inspira- 
tion — and as fast as the clouds of ignorance shall roll 
away, let the warm rays from Him who smiles from the 
sky, into the soul. The mind of the Indian, well pol- 
ished, shall then shine like the pure pearl from the deep. 
The cause of Education and Christianity must be to 
him what the wings are to eagles, both must he exercised 
before he can arise aloft. 

Teaching the Indians in their own language what 
little some have learned, is one of those errors in which 
the majority of Missionaries have fallen, unintentionally, 
all over the coimtry. I have endeavored to persuade 
them to teach our people English, and their course after- 
wards tells me — We knoiv better than you do — and, 
therefore, a great amount of time, and a tremendous 
amount of money has been expended in translating and 
publishing a few books. We have been able to read 
these, but not one sentence of English. Our language 
perpetuates our own ideas of civilization, as well as the 
old usages in our Nation ; and, consequently, how 
limited our field of acquiring knowledge ! On the other 
hand, by giving them an English education, you intro- 
duce them into the endless field of English literature, 



24G TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

and from the accumulated experience of the past, they 
might learn the elements which would produce the 
greatest amount of good to our Nation. The English 
language, it is true, is very hard to learn, hut since it is 
to be the universal language in all lands, the sooner you 
give them this the better. I conclude this part of my 
letter by stating that the most requisite things for the 
Indian are these three — a mechanical or an agricultural 
education, a high-toned literature, and a rational moral 
training. Give him these — you make him exalted. — 
Deprive him of these — you make him degraded. 

V. 77ie great quantity of Land which they have re- 
served to themselves for the ^purpose of himting. 

This wild field, filled with a variety of game, perpet- 
uates their natural propensity of living by the use of 
the bow and arrow ; instead of following the plough 
and having the hoe in hand. When they can* have a 
piece of land they can call their own, and so limited 
that the scarcity of game will oblige them to till the soil 
for a subsistence, then they will improve, and the soonei 
.his state of things is brought about will be the better. 

VI. The mode generally adopted by the Missio?iaries 
in introducing Christianity among the Indian Tribes. 

I know I shall be censured here — T can only appeal 
to the experience of the past, and leave every one to de- 



THE OJIRWAY NATION. 2 17 

cide for himself. The Indian, not knowing abstract 
truths, cannot possibly understand the foundation of the 
many doctrinal views which he is desired to learn and 
adopt. Forms of worship, varied as they are, have been 
urged on him, and in being perplexed, his mind thus is 
prejudiced to Christianity. 

Veneration and devotion make up the Indian's heart. 
Take him as he is, and lead him, and he will soon see 
the right from the wrong. We Avant also educated men. 
It has been the idea of some that any thing will do for 
the Indians. 

Other reasons might be given, did space allow ; now, 
I proceed to give, in conclusion, a few of the reasons 
why their numbers have been lessened. 

1. The Diseases introduced hy Europeans. 

The Indian Nations had no small pox or measles. — • 
The small pox has destroyed thousands since it has 
been introduced into this country. Entire families have 
perished. Many an ill-fated tribe have followed their 
ancestors down to the grave, haggard, diseased, wretched 
and loathsome, by the disease which keeps pace with 
the debauchery towards the West. 

These diseases, not many of them being known be 
fore, they knew not how to check their disastrous pro 
gross. 



•J48 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

2. Wars which they have made on each other since 
the i7it rod action of fire-arms. 

Before tins, the weapons they nsed against one an- 
other were not so disastrous as the rifle has been since. 
With the gun they have been as expert as they were 
with the bow and arrow. Champlain, in the year 1609, 
supplied the Algonquins of the North with the weapons 
of war, that they might successfully wage w\ar with the 
Six Nations. The Dutch supplied the Six Nations 
with the same materials. The Spaniards of the 
South and others, might be cited, which history relates. 
They receiving those weapons of war from a civil- 
ized and Christianized nation, guaranteed a free use of 
them. 

3. Wars ichich have raged in this country between the 
whites. 

During these wars the Indian has been called from 
the woods to show his fearless nature, and for obeying, 
and showing himself fearless, it is said of him that he is 
'• a man without a tear." He has been stigmatized 
with the name — " a savage," — by the very people who 
called for his aid, and he gave it. In the midst of these 
mighty contests, the Indian has been put in the front 
ranks, in the most dangerous positions, and has conse- 
qn(Mill\' l;prn the grcat(v;{ losor. 



TITR OJIHWAY NATION. 249 

4. And la:^(ii/ — The inlrodiiciion of spirituous liquors. 

This has been greater than all other evils combined. 
Iiitoniperance and disease. The fire-water has done its 
work of disaster. By it tlie glad shouts of the youth of 
our land has died away in wails of grief ! Fathers have 
followed their children to their graves. Children have ' 
sent their wail of woe, echoing from vale to vale. And 
around the cheering fires of tlie Indian, the Avhite man 
has received the gain of avarice. Peace and happiness 
entwined around the fire-side of the Indian once. Union, 
harmony, and a common brotherhood cemented them all. 
But as soon as these vile drinks were introduced, dissi- 
pation commenced, and the ruin and downfall of a noble 
race lias gone on — every year lessening their nimibers. 
Wave after wave of destruction has gone on — the raven- 
wings of the angel of death have covered their fires, and 
still unsatisfied, it screaujs for more victims — all, all. — 
yes, all for '• model New England rmn^'' The ministry 
of this country, and the sluggards in the cause of hu- 
manity, say now : There is a fate or certain doom on 
the Indians^ therefore we need do nothing for tiiem. 
IIovv^ blasphemous ! First you give us rum by the thou- 
sand barrels, and, before the presence of God and this 
enhglitencd world, point to God, and charge him as the 
murderer of the unfjitiinale IiidiaDS. 



250 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

" Oh, Mercy, oh, Mercy ! look down from above, 
Great Creator, on us Thy sad children with love." 

Yes, save us from such orthodoxy ! The laws of na 
ture deranged in the Indian, both morally and physically, 
has been the consequence of his sinking condition. 

I have already taken too much of your space. I must 
conclude. My next will be the fears I entertain they 
will not hold their lands to any great extent this side of 
the Rocky Mountains. 

Excuse all errors, for I have ^y a railroad accident 

been thrown on my bed. 

Am, sir, yours, in the cause of humanity. 

K. 



INDIAN CIVILIZATION. — NO. II. 

Mr. Editor, — In this letter I will give you the 
grounds of my fears why the Indians will never have a 
permanent hold upon any part of the Western country, 
unless by special act of Congress. 

1. Tlteir position vpon the press of emigration. — 
In this way for years the fires of the Indian lodge have 
been removed West. Their rights have been trampled 
upon l)y the settlers, and this, with other annoyances, 
have ever unsettled tljc minds of the Indians — the con 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 251 

sequence has been, and will be, that they will remove, 
step by step, to escape this annoyance. 

The present belief of the Western and South-western 
Indians, that they never will be again moved, and that 
the land that they now occupy is to be their own for- 
ever— ^what sort of a guarantee do they have of their 
continuing on their lands unmolested ? Will not the 
same plea which was given to remove the New- York, 
Massachusetts. Ohio and Georgia Indians — will not the 
same plea of necessity (and, as some say, an act of 
kindness to them) be urged on those on the other side 
of the Father of Waters as has been urged this side 7 
If not this, enterprise — yes, Yankee enterprise, will re- 
quire railroads to be laid out, canals to be opened, mili- 
tary roads cut through the land of the Indians in the 
West, and their land must either be bought from them 
or taken. And when this is done, or commenced to be 
done, they will cease to work their lands, since such 
labor would not be for their benefit, but for those who 
must occupy it when they leave it. The delightful 
fields of the Indians in Georgia were the great objects 
which the white men desired. 

2. The quantity of land they have reserved to them 
selves, has retarded their progress in the acquirement of 
agricultural science. They have lived on the game 



25;i TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 



which roamed in their woods, which has called off their 
attention from the soil. They will still neglect the 
cultivation of the soil, since it is easier to hunt for game 
for a living than to toil in the field. This quantity is a 
detriment to us — we do not want so much land. But, 
what Vie have, give it to us forever. ■ 

3. The quality is another. There is a rich spot of 
land this side of the desert below the Rocky Mountains, 
the only ricli land, and the Indian has been placed on 
tliis like a barrier. The land so occupied, if not culti- 
vated, the pale face will reason himself into the idea 
that the Great Spirit intended to make the whole of 
North America a farm yard, and thereby justify himself 
for taking to till what the Indian could not improve. 

4. Necessity icill ohlige him to sell. They have, 
within my knowledge, reasoned this way. Our fathers 
sold tlieir lands to the Government, and lived on the 
proceeds of the sale, and soon the Government will want 
to buy tJds la7id, and our children will live on the annui- 
ties as we now do on onrs. So, they will fare no v/orse 
than we have. In tliis way they l>ecome impoverished, 
and they to sustain soul and body a few 3^ears of linger- 
ing misery, must soil {h«^ii- laud piece by piece, until all 
is ^one find tliov must suilcr. 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 253 

Much greater and certain evils are yet to be appre- 
hended, arising from another source, which is this : 

5. The scarcity of game for food ^ must cause suffer- 
ing among the Indians, and a world of trouble to the 
frontier settlers. Where will the Indian go to get any 
thing to feed his children, but to the frontier for the cat- 
tle of the settlers for food? and this will cause war and 
bloodshed. 

The game is being killed more and more every year. 
It is computed by recent travellers in the buffalo coun- 
try, that this game alone is killed at the rate of one 
hundred thousand every year, by trappers and the In 
dians, for their hide and tongues, whick are sold t( 
traders on the Upper Missouri. Game of all kinds is 
disappearing this side of the Rocky Mountains. Twelve 
years ago we could go seventy-five miles West of Dubu- 
que, Iowa, on the Mississippi, for game of every kind up 
to buffalo ; now, I travelled last summer four hundred 
miles West of the above moimtains towards the Missouri 
River, and found no game of any kind ! When, by 
force of circumstances, the Indian is obliged to live on 
the cattle of the frontiers — as soon as the first bullock is 
killed, the cry will be heard, " The Indians are coming 
on us.'' The answer will be, " To arms, to arms," and 
the soldiery of the United States must be sent to go and 



2o\ TRADITIbXAL HISTORY OP 

destroy a few dying and gasping Indians. The boom 
of the cannon and the rattle and peal of the drum will 
sing the dirge of the once free and powerful sons of 
America. Desperation will drive the Indian to die at 
the cannon's mouth — for it is then he will think of the 
land of his forefathers, which will nerve him to the field 
of war ! — mustering his armies on the peaks of the cliffs 
of the West, they will shout to each other. On one 
hand, far off below, the dying fires of his race lie scat- 
tered, and the graves of his ancestors desecratad — his 
children scattered where he has been driven. On the 
other hand he will see the races of the Pacific driven to 
the Eastward from the Valley of the Columbia. It is 
there I expect to see what our forefathers have not yet 
witnessed. My blood runs cold when I think of it. — 
(jlreat God, save us from realizing the horrors of an ex- 
terminating war ! 

(3. TJie'ir isolated cmidit'wn in detached numhers^ will 
be the means of preventing the acquirement of know- 
ledge. When there is no stimulus to improve, there v%nll ' 
be no idea of learning much. In small bodies, they re- 
tain all the feelings of their forefathers, and will continue 
this way. The American Government has addressed 
us like different Nations, instead of addressing us as an 
LiJian Nation, and as one family ; iliey have in tliis 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 255 

way perpetuated our differences towards each other. — 
The same law which governs the masses of people 
of all nations (civilized) among the pale faces, in some 
degree would then keep them at peace with each other. 
The law of necessity — the law" of a common interest — 
the law of love, are so many influences which ought to 
have operated on them before ; since, then, these are 
wanting, the feuds which have been kept up must 
necessarily exist for some time. The tribes, being 
weakened by their hostilities, can never prosper. But 
collect them in a large body by themselves, and com- 
mence rationally to adopt a system of pupilage which 
will be well adapted for the young ; and one good man 
would be like a light-house in a storm, who would warn 
and guide the rest. 

In my next I will give the plan of concentrating the 
Northwest Indian tribes and its practicability. 
I am, sir, yours, in the cause of humanity, 



256 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

INDIAN CIVILIZATION. — NO. III. 

Mr. Editor : — In my last, I gave you some reasons 
why I think the possessions of the Indians are still pre- 
carious. In this, I propose to give an outline of the pro- 
ject of civiliziiig the Northwestern Tribes and its prac- 
ticability. 

My plan is to get a grant of land from the Congress 
of the United States, tibout one hundred and fifty miles 
square, as a perpetual reserve for all the Northwest 
Tribes this side of the Rocky Mountains — where the 
half-civilized on the. frontiers might live permanently to 
enjoy the fruits of their labor, aad immediately form a 
government of their own, from the crude state in which 
they are, and gradually introduce the most simple laws 
to govern them, as they may need. 

1. A Governor to be appointed by the President of the 
United States, to be a white man, and the Lieutenant- 
Governor to be an Indian. 

2. A Secretary, to be a white man, or an Indian, if 
any is found capable to fill the office, who shall trans- 
mit all the laws of the Indian territory to the Congress 
of the United States every year. 

3. That the Governor and Lieutenant-Governor shall 
convene all the Indian tribes within the said territory, 



THE OJIBWAY NATION. 257 

that txxey may organize such form of Government as 
may be for their interest. The Chiefs of each tribe to 
become the delegates from their number, and this to be 
every three years. 

4. That all white people who travel through this re- 
served land, must travel with a special license from the 
Agent of the American Government who may reside 
here. And, that all the white people who may reside 
as Government officers, missionaries and school teachers, 
must reside by such license, to be issued once a year ; 
and all who have no license, must be looked upon as 
intruders. 

5. That a com't of law be instituted, composed half 
of white people and half of Indians, who shall decide 
all grievances between the two races, the Indian and 
the pale face, instead of harassing the Government 
with them. 

6. That the gathering of the Indians be voluntary on 
their part, and by giving them inducements, they need not 
be compelled by arbitrary means to leave their own lands. 

7. That a military post be placed near the centre of 
the Indian Territory, and manned, to give security to 
individuals who may travel or reside there ; but more 
to keep off the iDhite savages, who deal in fire water. 

8. That the Indian Government be represented in 



258 TRADITIONAL HISTORY OF 

Washington by a Commissioner, to be appointed by the 
General Council of the Indian Confederacy in the mean- 
time, mitil the state of intelligence among them should 
require a more intimate connection with the Federal 
States — then, if deemed proper, to form one of the States 
of the Union. 

9. Schools to be supported by a general fund, which 
will accumulate as they cede theii' present lands to the 
Government, and those schools to be connected with the 
education of the plough, and the tillage of the soil. 

Next of importance is the location. The place I have 
named is the unsettled land known as the West of Mine- 
sota, next to the banks of the Missouri. The great Sioux 
River, from its junction to its source, to become the Eas- 
tern boundary — from the source of the Sioux River, draw 
a line Westward to the Missouri River, to become the 
Northern boundary. Next, the channel of the Missouri 
River to the place of beginning, would constitute a terri- 
tory, large enough for all such purposes. 

The reasons why I have named this as being the 
most suitable for them are the following : 

1. The great national highways, which will soon be 
opened by the demands of enterprize of the West, must 
be South of this, and thereby would not come in contact 
with the Indian population. 



THE OJIBAVAY NATION. 259 

2. The climate is most suitable for their natures. 

3. It would also be favorable to them in a commercial 
point of view, between the two greatest valleys and 
river, the Missouri and the Mississippi. 

4. The distance West would be far enough to cause 
the removal of all the various Indian tribes to be gradual. 

5. The central location of this country would be favor- 
able for the removal of the different tribes from the sur- 
rounding country of 500 or 600 miles. 

The question naturally rises in the minds of all who 
may have studied the mterest of the Indians, whether 
such a scheme is practicable. I think it is. 

1. The interest of the Indians being in the hands of 
the American Government, that interest could be used 
for the promotion of the good of the Lidians, and by an 
annual distribution of the annuities of the Indians in 
the central portion of the territory, would attach them 
to their homes and country. 

2. The treaties which are to be made, would so far 
become easy for them to be m.oving on this territory, 
and as the Indians are to be removed any how, why 
should it be more unpalatable to the Government to re 
move them to this tract, as they have always made out 
to move the Indians West whenever they have needed 
their lands ? 



<i(iU TRADITlONAi: HISTOIIY OF 

3. The social character of the Indians. They would 
rather hve in towns, or near each other, particularly 
■when ihey are civilized. The oftener they could see 
one another, the more rapidly their jealousies would 
cease to exist. Their children, growing tip together, 
would soon acquire a mutual attachment and regard for 
each other's welfare. 

4. The languages of the Northwest tribes are so far 
similar, that they soon would learn to understand one 
another. The Ojibway language, or the Algonquin 
dialect, is spreading all over the country of the North- 
west. The traditional stories which are related by our 
forefathers, indicate that our common stock was one. — 
And to reunite the scattered families, and preserve the 
few, would soon become an object in their minds. 

5. By giving encouragement to those who would go 
there to settle, there would be no difficulty in getting 
them there, for the educated portion of them would be 
the first who would settle in that country ; and they 
are the ones 1 would encourage, for they would be the 
ones who would form such a Government as would 
best suit the Indian's wants and condition. 

6. By a proclamation of the President of the United 
States, calling upon all the Northwest Indian tribes, and 
telling them that a home, a permanent home is provided, 



THE OJinWAV NATION. 201 

tliev soon would obey it, and go, if not in collective 
bodies, at least individually. 

7. War must then cease to exist. There will be no 
game, nor any territory to fight for. They soon must 
learn, that in destroying one it is to strike a blow at all, 
and the public opinion will triumph, and frown down 
any such acts of misdemeanor of the inhabitants. 

8. Gradually the Chiefship, which is hereditary, 
would cease to exist, for this is one of the greatest bar- 
riers to their civilization. By giving the rule and 
authority to the well educated, their improvement would 
be rapid ; but, heretofore, the elder Indians have ruled, 
and their prejudicial views of education, have ever mi- 
fitted them to become a fit medium of instruction to 
their people. And in this way many will then study 
hard to fit themselves to become the rulers of the Nation. 

9. The comparativelypeaceahle condition of the North- 
west Indian tribes at present is favorable. The wars 
which raged in years past, are not now in existence. — 
The spirit of war is dying away at the approach of 
civilization Westward, and the more peaceable acts of 
civilized life are being practiced by them. 

10. The great number of young men that are among 
the various Indian tribes, who are ready to carry for- 
ward any benevolent measure which may be supported 



2lj2 TRADITIOXAI, HISTORY OF 

by the Govenimeiit of the United States. The New- 
York Indians are now so far civihzed as to have a Re- 
pubhcan Government of their own. There are young 
men m that Nation who would do honor to any position 
in the arrangement of a Government for the Indians. — 
The Chippeway Nation has a great number of well 
educated young men. The Stockbridges, Oneidas and 
Shawnees, all these have been blessed with a partial 
civilization. 

Many other reasons might be given besides the above. 
I will close now, and in my next I will speak of the 
benefits which must accrue to the American Govern- 
ment and to the Indians. 

I am, sir, yours, in the cause of humanity, 

K. 



INDIAN CIVILIZATION . N O. I V. 

Mr. Editor: — Having stated the reasons why I 
deem my scheme practicable, I will, in conclusion, 
allude to the advantages that would accrue, not only to 
the United States, but to the Indians. 

To the American Government. 

1. This system u'oidd simplify tho Indian department. 



TUK OJIE^VAY NATION. 262 

2. Tiiey would not have so much perplexity in ad 
justing difficulties. 

3. The outlay in Indian agencies would be lessened. 

4. Establish a court of justice in the Indian territory, 
and no trouble would be had witli them, as the difficul- 
ties would be legally settled. For sometimes it has 
been the hasty means used to suppress the encroach- 
ments of the Indian on the white man which have 
caused the disgraceful wars which this country has 
seen. Such would be obviated. 

5. The expense of fortifying the Western country 
from the encroachments of the Indians would be dis- 
pensed with, and even now they are not actually re- 
quired. But if the government must build forts, and 
establish military posts, let there be one, in the center of 
the new Indian territory, to give efficiency to the laws 
of the Indian government, to protect the peace and per- 
sons in that country. 

Go in the spirit of the illustrious ^Villiam Penn, that 
noble personification of Christianity, and you will have no 
trouble with the Indians this side of the Rocky Mountains. 

6. The outlay for transporting the Indians Avould 
cease to be a burden. I believe the Indians would now 
go of their own accord, did they know that the land 
could be thus occupied by them. 



2GI TRADITIONAL HISTORY OP 

7. The buying of the land from the Indians over and 
over would not llien have to be done. 

8. The peaceful and fiiendly relations that must then 
exist would be one of the strongest bonds of union in 
lime of peace, and cause them to be neutral in tim.e 
of war. 

9. Besides tlie above considerations, there are higher 
motives which ought to prompt the members of Con- 
gress — motives arising in the consideration that they 
are only forwarding tlie great design of Heaven, to im- 
prove the races of this country. By intelligence enlarge 
tlie arena of human freedom, and your leading the In- 
dian may be like the noble eagle's first flight with its 
young to the sun. 

The advantages to tlie Indians. 

1. By having 'permanent homes, they would soon 
enjoy the fruit of their labor. Poverty would be un- 
known, ])lenty would reign, and clieerfulness aid them 
in their work. 

2. Seminaries of learning would be permanently loca- 
ted ; every stone you laid for the foundation of a school 
would tell. The repeated removals of the Indians have 
retarded the progress of moral and pliysical training 
among them, and caused many good men to become 
discouraged in tlieir ahns-giving for their improvement 



thp: ojibway nation. 265 

It has not been so much Ihe fault of the Indian as it 
has been the error of judgment in the distribution oi 
these means. 

3. The appropriation by the United States, for the 
education of the Indians, of $10,000, would then be a 
benefit to those for whom it is intended. Let the Gov- 
ernment endow a college in the central part of the In- 
dian country, and it would have an influence for good 
to the end of time. 

4. And besides this, what an amount would accumu- 
late, were all the scliool funds which the Indians have 
even now, given by the Government in its generosity 
for their annuities, and which now many Indian tribes 
know ]\ot what to do with, thus appropriated. Concen- 
tration of means and of effort on the part of the benevo- 
lently-disposed, must necessarily, in the process of time, 
do a great deal of good. 

5. In treaties which are to be made, if a policy could 
be pursued in such a way as to get the annuities of the 
Indians to be paid in part toward the national education 
of the whole colony, much of what is needed in reference 
to means would be so augmented as to give whole dis- 
tricts of country the benefit of an enlightened education. 

But, say you, How will you reconcile the different 
denominations of Christians who may go there to teach? 



266 THE OJIBWAY NATION. 

Having no predilection to division and discord. I would 
not have one dollar of the money which the generosity 
of the Government should give, go toward perpetuating 
discordant elements. No ! I want to make the great 
family of the Indians One, should I live long enough — 
one in interest, one in feeling, one while they live, and 
one in a better world after death. 

6. Emulation among themselves would spring up ; 
and each would labor for the others' good — a spirit of 
rivalry would soon be seen were a premium to be given 
to those who should raise the largest amount of agricul- 
tural produce. 

7. The result of all this would be a rapid increase of 
intelligence among the Indians, and steps would soon 
be taken to have a representation in Congress. 

It is hoped that, without making any special plea for 
the red men, that sense of justice which dwells in the 
heart of every true America?i will lead the members of 
Congress to give the above reasons a passing consid- 
eration. 

KAH-GE-GA-GAH-BOWH. 



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